pen·ul·ti·mate 
/pɪˈnʌltəmət/ adjective
always used before a noun /pɪˈnʌltəmət/ adjective formal : occurring immediately before the last one : next to the last
▪ the penultimate chapter of the book [=the chapter that comes before the last chapter] ▪ the penultimate syllable of the word
▪ the penultimate chapter of the book [=the chapter that comes before the last chapter] ▪ the penultimate syllable of the word
