second language
noun
: a language that is learned in addition to the language a person first learned as a young child
Examples of second language in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The effects are greatest for low-income students, students with disabilities, and children learning English as a second language, who faced educational inequities prior to the pandemic that have only worsened today.
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Anna North, Vox, 19 Sep. 2024
Our programs integrate content courses in a second language and intercultural competence, expanding your career opportunities around the world.
—Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2023
So what’s the best way to teach young kids a second language?
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 15 July 2024
Faiza Omar, who took Hackman’s class last school year as a junior, learned English as a second language and didn’t receive the foundational reading interventions until high school.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for second language 
Anna North, Vox, 19 Sep. 2024
Our programs integrate content courses in a second language and intercultural competence, expanding your career opportunities around the world.
—Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2023
So what’s the best way to teach young kids a second language?
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 15 July 2024
Faiza Omar, who took Hackman’s class last school year as a junior, learned English as a second language and didn’t receive the foundational reading interventions until high school.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for second language
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second language.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near second language
Cite this Entry
“Second language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20language. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.
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