What does "sec" mean?

1. (a short time) a very short period of time; a quick way to say 'second'. 2. (government official) a short way to write or say 'secretary', often used for high-level government leaders.

How do you use "sec"?

Commonly used in the phrase 'hang on a sec' or 'just a sec'.

sec

US //ˈsɛk// sec

1 a short time (n.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

a very short period of time; a quick way to say 'second'.

a clipping of 'second' used to denote a brief, often indeterminate, interval of time.

Example

Wait just a sec while I grab my coat from the hallway.

Example

The system took a sec to process the request, but the confirmation appeared on the screen shortly thereafter.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'hang on a sec' or 'just a sec'.
- moment
- second
- jiffy
- age
- eternity
2 government official (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal Politics

a short way to write or say 'secretary', often used for high-level government leaders.

a clipping of 'secretary', typically referring to a cabinet-level official or the head of a department.

Example

The Home Sec is expected to make an announcement later today.

Example

The former Foreign Sec addressed the committee regarding the diplomatic implications of the new trade agreement.

Teacher's tip

This is particularly common in British news headlines to save space.
- secretary
- minister