second reading

noun

1

: the stage in the British legislative process following the first reading and usually providing for debate on the principal features of a bill before its submission to a committee for consideration of details

2

: the stage in the U.S. legislative process that occurs when a bill has been reported back from committee and that provides an opportunity for full debate and amendment before a vote is taken on the question of a third reading

Examples of second reading in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Valparaiso City Council will have a second reading of the ordinance at the Monday, March 10 meeting, including a public hearing before the vote. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

Approved the second reading and adoption of an ordinance to sell the old police station and adjacent parking lot for $399,900 to HDC Properties LLC (Hutchinson Dental Center). 2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES: Approved a list of legislative priorities for 2024. —Janean Sorrell, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

Despite the back and forth, the bill moved to second reading. —Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Slager, on Wednesday, proposed an amendment to House Bill 1448, which passed the House in the bill’s second reading. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for second reading

• bedding
• dreading
• heading
• shedding
• shredding
• sledding
• spreading
• threading
• treading
• wedding
• beheading
• embedding