2second adverb
1 : in a position that only comes after one other in time, order, or importance
▪ The university ranks second in the nation. ▪ This is the second most common error made by job applicants. ▪ Milan is Italy's second largest city. ▪ I placed/finished second in the race. = (US) I came in second in the race. = (Brit) I came second in the race. ▪ The misspelled word is in the second to last paragraph. [=in the paragraph that comes just before the last one] — see also second best 2 — used to introduce a statement that is the second in a series of statements ▪ It's pointless to plan a trip—first, we can't afford one, and second, we don't have time to take one.
▪ The university ranks second in the nation. ▪ This is the second most common error made by job applicants. ▪ Milan is Italy's second largest city. ▪ I placed/finished second in the race. = (US) I came in second in the race. = (Brit) I came second in the race. ▪ The misspelled word is in the second to last paragraph. [=in the paragraph that comes just before the last one] — see also second best
