English Meaning & Definitions
Coming after the first in time, order, or rank.
- โShe finished second in the 100-meter dash.โ
- โThis is the second time this week the printer has broken.โ
A unit of time equal to one-sixtieth of a minute, or the base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI).
- โPlease wait just a second while I grab my coat.โ
- โThe rocket launch was delayed by mere seconds.โ
To formally support or endorse a motion or proposal so that it can be discussed or voted upon.
- โI will gladly second the motion put forward by the treasurer.โ
- โNo one seconded his suggestion, so the idea was dropped.โ
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โsecondโ.
Derived from the Latin 'secundus', meaning 'following', 'next', or 'second' (from 'sequi', meaning 'to follow'). It entered Middle English via Old French 'second'. Its use as a unit of time comes from the medieval Latin phrase 'pars minuta secunda' (second small part), which was the second subdivision of an hour (after the minute, which was the 'pars minuta prima').
Think of 'sequence'โa second item is the next one in the sequence after the first.
Frequently Asked Questions About โsecondโ
1. What is the meaning of โsecondโ in English?
In English, second (adjective) is defined as: โComing after the first in time, order, or rank.โ.
2. How do you use โsecondโ in a sentence?
โShe finished second in the 100-meter dash.โ
3. What are English synonyms of โsecondโ?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of โsecondโ?
Derived from the Latin 'secundus', meaning 'following', 'next', or 'second' (from 'sequi', meaning 'to follow'). It entered Middle English via Old French 'second'. Its use as a unit of time comes from the medieval Latin phrase 'pars minuta secunda' (second small part), which was the second subdivision of an hour (after the minute, which was the 'pars minuta prima').
๐ฌ๐งMore English Words to English
View all English words โThe base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), 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 caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.