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
Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has charged Mr. Mangione with first-degree murder, a charge that brands him as a terrorist, as well as weapons charges and two variations of second-degree murder.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Jen Juneau, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Reyes was indicted on charges of first-degree assault, three counts of assault in the second degree and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
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Adjective
The New York charges include murder in the first degree in furtherance of terrorism, two counts of second-degree murder, including one as an act of terrorism, and several weapons charges.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has charged Mr. Mangione with first-degree murder, a charge that brands him as a terrorist, as well as weapons charges and two variations of second-degree murder.
—Hurubie Meko, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
He was found not guilty of misdemeanor assault in the third degree with intent to cause physical injury and misdemeanor aggravated harassment in the second degree.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Reyes was indicted on charges of first-degree assault, three counts of assault in the second degree and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 16 Jan. 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 27 Feb. 2025.
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