What does "second" mean?

1. (ordinal number 2) coming after the first thing in a list or series. 2. (unit of time) a very short period of time; there are 60 of these in one minute. 3. (a short moment) a very short, informal amount of time. 4. (extra food) a second serving of the same meal. 5. (musical interval) the distance between two notes that are next to each other in a scale. 6. (to support a motion) to formally support a suggestion so that it can be discussed or voted on. 7. (to transfer staff) to move an employee to a different job or location for a short time.

How do you use "second"?

usually used in the plural form 'seconds' transitive verb; requires a direct object like 'the motion' or 'the proposal' often used in the passive voice; pronounced with the stress on the second syllable

second — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01ordinal number 2

A1 · Beginner

num. coming after the first thing in a list or series.

num. the ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two; following the first in a sequence.

“This is the second time I have visited London this year.”

“The second chapter of the report provides a detailed analysis of the fiscal year's primary expenditures.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

first

02unit of time

A1 · Beginner Countable noun Science

n. a very short period of time; there are 60 of these in one minute.

n. the SI base unit of time, defined as one-sixtieth of a minute.

“The winner finished only one second ahead of the other runners.”

“The high-speed camera captures thousands of frames per second, allowing researchers to observe the impact in extreme detail.”

Synonyms

moment instant

03a short moment

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Informal

n. a very short, informal amount of time.

n. an informal, indeterminate, and brief duration of time.

“Wait a second, I forgot my keys on the table.”

“If you can spare a second, I would appreciate your feedback on this draft before I send it to the director.”

Synonyms

sec moment jiffy

04extra food

B1 · Intermediate Plural noun Cooking Informal

n. a second serving of the same meal.

n. an additional helping of food after the first portion has been consumed.

“The dinner was so delicious that everyone asked for seconds.”

“Despite the large portions served during the first course, several guests were eager for seconds of the homemade lasagna.”

Usage

usually used in the plural form 'seconds'

Synonyms

refillre-serving

05musical interval

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Music Technical

n. the distance between two notes that are next to each other in a scale.

n. the musical interval between two adjacent degrees in a diatonic scale.

“The teacher explained the difference between a major and minor second.”

“The composer utilised dissonant major seconds to create a sense of mounting tension throughout the introductory movement.”

06to support a motion

B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal

v. to formally support a suggestion so that it can be discussed or voted on.

v. to formally support a motion or proposal in a meeting to allow it to proceed to a vote.

“I would like to second the motion to end the meeting early.”

“After the chairperson proposed the amendment, the treasurer rose to second the motion, ensuring it would be debated by the board.”

Usage

transitive verb; requires a direct object like 'the motion' or 'the proposal'

Synonyms

support back endorse

Antonyms

oppose

07to transfer staff

C1 · Advanced British English · Formal

v. to move an employee to a different job or location for a short time.

v. to temporarily transfer an official or worker to another position or department.

“She was seconded to the marketing department for six months.”

“The senior engineer was seconded to the overseas branch to oversee the final stages of the infrastructure project.”

Usage

often used in the passive voice; pronounced with the stress on the second syllable

Teaching tip

In British professional contexts, this is common; note the pronunciation difference from the time unit.

Synonyms

transferreassign

From Middle English secunde, second, secound, secund, borrowed from Old French second, seond, from Latin secundus (“following, next in order”), from root of sequor (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (“to follow”). Doublet of secund and secundo. Displaced native twoth and partially displaced native other (from Old English ōþer (“other; next; second”)).

From Middle English secunde, seconde, borrowed from Old French seconde, from Medieval Latin secunda, short for secunda pars minuta (“second diminished part (of the hour)”).