1
a
: next to the first in place or time
was second in line
b(1)
: next to the first in value, excellence, or degree
his second choice of schools
(2)
: inferior, subordinate
was second to none
c
: ranking next below the top of a grade or degree in authority or precedence
second mate
e
: resembling or suggesting a prototype : another
a second Thoreau
f
: being the forward gear or speed next higher than first in a motor vehicle
2
: relating to or having a part typically subordinate to and lower in pitch than the first part in concerted or ensemble music
1
a
: one that is number two in a series see Table of Numbers
b
: one that is next after the first in rank, position, authority, or precedence
the second in line
2
: one that assists or supports another
especially
: the assistant of a duelist or boxer
3
a
: the musical interval embracing two diatonic degrees
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically
: supertonic
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a second apart
4
a
seconds plural
: merchandise that is usually slightly flawed and does not meet the manufacturer's standard for firsts or irregulars
b
: an article of such merchandise
5
: the act or declaration by which a parliamentary motion is seconded
6
: a place next below the first in a competition, examination, or contest
7
8
: the second forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
9
seconds plural
: a second helping of food
1
: in the second place : secondly
These two kinds of image … have a powerful appeal for us, first, because we are all … inevitably concerned about our fate, and second, because our concern is itself twofold …—
Robert Penn Warren
Robert Penn Warren2
: before all others with one exception
the nation's second largest city
They are my second favorite band.
1
a
: the 60th part of a minute of angular measure
b
: the 60th part of a minute of time : 1/86,400 part of the mean solar day
specifically
: the base unit of time in the International System of Units that is equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom
2
: an instant of time : moment
seconded; seconding; seconds
1
a
: to give support or encouragement to : assist
b
: to support (a fighting person or group) in combat : bring up reinforcements for
2
a
: to support or assist in contention or debate
b
: to endorse (a motion or a nomination) so that debate or voting may begin
3
si-ˈkänd 
chiefly British
: to release (someone, such as a military officer) from a regularly assigned position for temporary duty with another unit or organization
chiefly British
: to release (someone, such as a military officer) from a regularly assigned position for temporary duty with another unit or organization
seconder
noun
Synonyms
Examples of second in a Sentence
Adjective
We sat in the second row.
the second house on the left
B is the second letter in the alphabet.
That's the second time I've seen him today.
Chocolate is my first choice; vanilla is my second choice.
The chair needs a second coat of paint.
She plays second violin in the city orchestra.
Noun (1)
the slightly flawed linens were sold as seconds
Verb
I would like to second the motion to adjourn.
“Let's call it a day.” “I'll second that.”
I'll be ready in a second
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
In just their second year of existence, the Suns beat the defending champion Celtics, 127-116, at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024
Sara Dorn, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Machine learning has allowed criminals to create deepfake videos impersonating people and to clone voices with only a few seconds of audio.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 25 Dec. 2024
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024
The Niners rank among the top 10 in yards per game (ninth) and yards allowed (second).
—Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Joel Rush, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Grimaldi has 5-10-15 during that stretch, claiming to second in the AHL in scoring (6-13-19) despite playing in only 12 games.
—Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for second 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The Cardinals have been eliminated, and running back James Conner sat out the second half Sunday with a knee injury.
—Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
In just their second year of existence, the Suns beat the defending champion Celtics, 127-116, at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024
Noun
Witkoff was with Trump during the apparent second assassination attempt on his life, telling NBC that Secret Service agents dived on Trump and got him off his Florida golf course in under 20 seconds.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Machine learning has allowed criminals to create deepfake videos impersonating people and to clone voices with only a few seconds of audio.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 25 Dec. 2024
Adverb
The 1% Club Christmas Special, which aired from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., was third with an average 3.2M audience and peak of 3.4M, while The Masked Singer: Christmas Special came second with 2.5M average.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024
The Niners rank among the top 10 in yards per game (ninth) and yards allowed (second).
—Colton Pouncy, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
Fast Break Playmaker The Denver Nuggets are playing faster this season, with their frequency of transition plays increasing from 16th in the league last year at 14.9%, to second at 18.1%, per Cleaning the Glass.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Grimaldi has 5-10-15 during that stretch, claiming to second in the AHL in scoring (6-13-19) despite playing in only 12 games.
—Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for second
Dictionary Entries Near second
Cite this Entry
“Second.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: being number two in a series see number
2
a
: next to the first in time, order, importance, or rank
second violin
second place
b
: other entry 1 sense 2
elects a mayor every second year
c
: resembling or suggesting an original : another
a second Shakespeare
second
adverb
secondly
adverb
second
2 of 4 noun1
a
: one that is number two in a series see number
b
: one next after the first in time, order, importance, or rank
2
: one who assists another (as in a duel or prizefight)
3
: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the second tone of a scale
4
: a damaged or imperfect article (as of merchandise)
5
: the act of seconding a motion
6
7
: the second gear or speed in an automobile
8
plural
: a second helping of food
second
3 of 4 noun1
a
: the 60th part of a minute of angular measure
b
: the 60th part of a minute of time
especially
: the international unit of time related to the period of the radiation corresponding to a change between the two levels of the ground state of a particular isotope of the cesium atom
2
: instant entry 1, moment
I'll be back in a second
second
4 of 4 verb1
: to give support or encouragement to : assist
2
: to encourage that something be debated or voted on
second a motion
seconder
noun
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English second "next to the first in position, order, or time," from early French secund (same meaning), from Latin secundus "second, following, favorable," from sequi "to follow" — related to sequel
Noun
Middle English secounde "the 60th part of a minute," from Latin secunda (same meaning), derived from earlier secundus (adjective) "second (in order), following, favorable"; so called from the fact that the minute is the first level of division of a degree or hour and this is the second level
Verb
from Latin secundare "to give support to, assist," from secundus (adjective) "second, following, favorable"
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