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
Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
With a chance to clinch bowl eligibility for a second year in a row, the Bears (5-5, 1-5 ACC) laid an egg.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Denver has given up an average time to pressure of 2.89 seconds, tied for third in the league, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
Just the anxiety, first of all, being in there with Dre — and second, just the level of smoking.
—Andres Tardio, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024
Essence, 15 Oct. 2024
Morrison’s post was seconded by a number of cinematographers, although others pointed out that Hutchins’ former mentor and ASC president Stephen Lighthill was taking part in a panel session after the screening, and swung in behind the decision.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for second 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
But the Titans marched back the other way for the go-ahead score and Arapahoe was eliminated in the Round of 16 for the second straight year.
—Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Nov. 2024
With a chance to clinch bowl eligibility for a second year in a row, the Bears (5-5, 1-5 ACC) laid an egg.
—Jeff Faraudo, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
But Herbert later completed a pair of clutch passes to Ladd McConkey that helped set up J.K. Dobbins’ 29-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Denver has given up an average time to pressure of 2.89 seconds, tied for third in the league, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024
Adverb
South America was second overall, taking 13% of total viewers and Europe accounted for 11%.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
Just the anxiety, first of all, being in there with Dre — and second, just the level of smoking.
—Andres Tardio, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
The look was seconded by artists Leys MC and LightSkinKeisha who cut hers into a bob.
—Essence, 15 Oct. 2024
Morrison’s post was seconded by a number of cinematographers, although others pointed out that Hutchins’ former mentor and ASC president Stephen Lighthill was taking part in a panel session after the screening, and swung in behind the decision.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Oct. 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 28 Nov. 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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