# secondary

/ˈsɛkənˌdɛɹi/ (US) · /sˈɛkəndəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/secondary
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. less important

adjective · CEFR B1

less important than the main thing you are talking about.

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

- The cost of the car was a secondary concern compared to its safety features.
- While the aesthetic appeal of the building is undeniable, such considerations remained secondary to the functional requirements of the laboratory space.

### 2. education

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- She decided to become a secondary school teacher because she enjoys working with teenagers.
- The government recently announced a comprehensive review of the secondary curriculum to better prepare students for vocational careers.

### 3. resulting from something else

adjective · CEFR B2

happening as a result of a first event or cause.

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

- The doctor said the infection was a secondary effect of his weakened immune system.
- The researchers focused on secondary data sources, such as census records and previous surveys, rather than conducting new interviews.

### 5. electronics

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The technician checked the voltage on the secondary to ensure the transformer was working.
- A fault in the secondary caused a significant drop in output power, necessitating a full replacement of the inductive component.

### 6. finance

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

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

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

- The company announced a secondary to raise money for a new factory.
- Market analysts predicted that the upcoming secondary would dilute existing share value, leading to a temporary dip in the stock price.

## Examples

- She starts at the local secondary in September.
- After completing six years of primary education, most students in the district transition to the same secondary.
- The government's new initiative aims to reduce the student-to-teacher ratio across every state-funded secondary to ensure more personalised instruction during the critical exam years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.