What does "secondary" mean?

1. (less important) less important than the main thing you are talking about. 2. (education) relating to school for students between the ages of 11 and 18. 3. (resulting from something else) happening as a result of a first event or cause. 4. (electronics) the part of an electrical transformer where the power comes out. 5. (finance) when a company that is already on the stock market sells more shares.

secondary

adj. · n.

US //ˈsɛkənˌdɛɹi// UK //sˈɛkəndəɹi// sec·ondary

1 less important (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

less important than the main thing you are talking about.

of less than primary importance; subordinate to a more significant factor or entity.

Example

The cost of the car was a secondary concern compared to its safety features.

Example

While the aesthetic appeal of the building is undeniable, such considerations remained secondary to the functional requirements of the laboratory space.
2 education (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

relating to school for students between the ages of 11 and 18.

relating to the stage of formal education that follows primary school and precedes higher education.

Example

She decided to become a secondary school teacher because she enjoys working with teenagers.

Example

The government recently announced a comprehensive review of the secondary curriculum to better prepare students for vocational careers.
- high school
- primary
- elementary

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3 resulting from something else (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

happening as a result of a first event or cause.

derived from or consequent upon a primary source, cause, or stage.

Example

The doctor said the infection was a secondary effect of his weakened immune system.

Example

The researchers focused on secondary data sources, such as census records and previous surveys, rather than conducting new interviews.
- original
- initial
4 electronics (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

the part of an electrical transformer where the power comes out.

the output winding or circuit of an electrical transformer that is inductively coupled to the primary winding.

Example

The technician checked the voltage on the secondary to ensure the transformer was working.

Example

A fault in the secondary caused a significant drop in output power, necessitating a full replacement of the inductive component.
- output coil
- primary
5 finance (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Formal Finance

when a company that is already on the stock market sells more shares.

an offering of new shares by a company that has already completed an initial public offering.

Example

The company announced a secondary to raise money for a new factory.

Example

Market analysts predicted that the upcoming secondary would dilute existing share value, leading to a temporary dip in the stock price.
- follow on offering
- IPO

Origin

From Middle English secundarie, from Latin secundārius (“of the second class or quality”), from secundus (whence the English second) + -ārius (whence the English suffix -ary), equivalent to second + -ary; compare the French secondaire, the Italian secondario, the Occitan secundari, the Portuguese secundario, and the Spanish secundario.