Second | Mean of second in English Dictionary

/ˈsɛkənd/

• occupying the number two position in a series
1. We sat in the second row.
2. the second house on the left
3. the author's second novel
4. B is the second letter in the alphabet.
5. That's the second time I've seen him today.
6. The office is on the second floor. [=(US) the floor just above the lowest floor; (Brit) the floor that is two floors above the lowest floor]
• next to the first in importance or rank
1. Chocolate is my first choice; vanilla is my second choice.
2. I won second prize.
• another of the same kind
1. They needed a second car. [=they needed two cars]
2. The chair needs a second coat of paint.
3. The word has a second meaning. [=the word has two meanings]
4. She took a second helping [=she took another serving] of carrots.
5. English as a second language [=a language that you learn in addition to the language you first learned when you were a young child]
6. I could have fired him, but I gave him a second chance. [=I gave him another chance]
7. I recommend you get a second opinion. [=advice from another doctor to make sure the first advice is right]
8. He passed her by without (giving her) a second glance. [=he didn't notice her]
9. She liked the house enough to give it a second look. [=she looked at the house again]

• having or playing the part in a group of instruments that is one level lower than the first
1. She plays second violin in the city orchestra.
• only less important than (something or someone)
1. Rice is second only to corn as the state's major crop.
• in a position that only comes after one other in time, order, or importance
1. The university ranks second in the nation.
2. This is the second most common error made by job applicants.
3. Milan is Italy's second largest city.
4. I placed/finished second in the race. = (US) I came in second in the race. = (Brit) I came second in the race.
5. The misspelled word is in the second to last paragraph. [=in the paragraph that comes just before the last one]
• Noun
• something that is second
1. His birthday is on the second of June. [=on June 2]
2. The win was his second of the year.
• another serving of food taken after you are finished with the first serving
1. Who wants seconds?
• a statement made to support or approve a motion in a meeting
1. There's been a motion to vote on the proposal. Do I hear a second?
• a product that is cheaper than normal because it is damaged or imperfect
1. These curtains are seconds.
2. The store sells factory seconds.
• the forward gear or speed in a vehicle that is one speed higher than first gear
1. Put the car/bicycle in second when you go up the hill.
• an undergraduate degree of the second highest level from a British university
1. He took/received a second in history.
• a person whose job is to help someone who is fighting in a boxing match or duel
• a unit of time that is equal to ¹/₆₀ of a minute
1. There was a delay of several seconds.
2. a 30-second TV commercial
3. phone lines transmitting data at 1,200 bits per second
4. The sound came on for a second or two and then went off again.
• a very brief period of time
1. For a second (there) I thought you were kidding.
2. This will (just/only) take a second.
3. I'll be back in a second. [=I'll be back very soon]
4. I can't come right this second. [=at this very moment]
5. “Did you enjoy her visit?” “I enjoyed every second.” [=I enjoyed the entire visit]
6. I expect her back any second now. [=very soon]
7. It could happen at any second. [=at any time]
• one of 60 equal parts into which a minute can be divided for measuring angles
1. 40 degrees, 27 minutes, and 45 seconds
• Verb
• to approve (something, such as a motion) during a meeting so that discussion or voting can begin
1. I would like to second the motion to adjourn.
• to agree with (a suggestion or statement)
1. “Let's call it a day.” “I'll second that.”
• to move (someone) from a regular job to a different place, department, etc., for a short period of time
1. She was seconded to the Birmingham office for six months.