second-degree

1 of 2

adjective

sec·​ond-degree ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē How to pronounce second-degree (audio)
-kᵊŋ-
1
US, of a crime : of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment
second-degree assault/murder
2
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree concussion
see also second-degree burn

second degree

2 of 2

noun

US
: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment
He was charged with assault in the second degree.

Examples of second-degree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Gray’s father is later arrested and indicted on 29 counts, including involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder and cruelty to children. —CNN, 21 Nov. 2024 Quiles, 20, was charged with fourth-degree arson, fifth-degree arson and second-degree reckless endangerment, police said. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
He’s been offered a deal for two years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to second degree assault. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 18 Sep. 2024 More than six years after Garcia’s death, the jury found Joplin guilty of all charges: murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, and theft in the first degree. —Xander Samaras, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for second-degree 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of second-degree was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near second-degree

second degree

second-degree

second-degree burn

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

second-degree

adjective
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree ankle sprain
see also second-degree burn compare first-degree, third-degree

Legal Definition

second degree

noun
sec·​ond degree
: the grade given to the second most serious forms of crimes
assault in the second degree
second-degree adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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