1 sec·ond
Pronounced:
/ˈsɛkənd/
Function:
adjective always used before a nounMeaning:
1 a : occupying the number two position in a series ▪ We sat in the second row. ▪ the second house on the left ▪ the author's second novel ▪ B is the second letter in the alphabet. ▪ That's the second time I've seen him today. ▪ 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] b : next to the first in importance or rank ▪ Chocolate is my first choice; vanilla is my second choice. ▪ I won second prize. c : another of the same kind ▪ They needed a second car. [=they needed two cars] ▪ The chair needs a second coat of paint. ▪ The word has a second meaning. [=the word has two meanings] ▪ She took a second helping [=she took another serving] of carrots. ▪ English as a second language [=a language that you learn in addition to the language you first learned when you were a young child] ▪ I could have fired him, but I gave him a second chance. [=I gave him another chance] ▪ I recommend you get a second opinion. [=advice from another doctor to make sure the first advice is right] ▪ He passed her by without (giving her) a second glance. [=he didn't notice her] ▪ She liked the house enough to give it a second look. [=she looked at the house again]
2 —used to refer to the forward gear or speed of a vehicle that is next to the lowest forward gear ▪ You should put the car in second gear when you go up the hill. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ The movie never really gets out of second gear. ▪ The program is shifting into second gear now that all the proposals have been approved.
3 : having or playing the part in a group of instruments that is one level lower than the first ▪ She plays second violin in the city orchestra. —see also play second fiddle at 1fiddle
2 —used to refer to the forward gear or speed of a vehicle that is next to the lowest forward gear ▪ You should put the car in second gear when you go up the hill. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ The movie never really gets out of second gear. ▪ The program is shifting into second gear now that all the proposals have been approved.
3 : having or playing the part in a group of instruments that is one level lower than the first ▪ She plays second violin in the city orchestra. —see also play second fiddle at 1fiddle
every second
—used to indicate how often a repeated activity happens or is done ▪ We elect a mayor every second year. [=in alternate years; every other year]
second only to
: only less important than (something or someone) ▪ Rice is second only to corn as the state's major crop.
second to none —see 1none