sec·ond-degree
ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē 
-kᵊŋ-
1
US, of a crime
: of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment
second-degree assault/murder
2
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree concussion
see also second-degree burn
US
: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment
He was charged with assault in the second degree.
Examples of second-degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Cato has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, child endangerment and related charges.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
State police announced second degree murder charges against five others on Feb. 14.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
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Adjective
In March 1983, she was indicted on one count of second-degree murder and 13 counts of administering cocaine and heroin.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Cato has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, child endangerment and related charges.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
He is being held on two counts of murder in the second degree, jail records showed, as well as an immigration detainer.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
State police announced second degree murder charges against five others on Feb. 14.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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