second-degree

1 of 2

adjective

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

second degree

2 of 2

noun

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

Adjective

According to Miami-Dade County court records, Quinn has several arrests dating back to February 2007, when he was charged with second-degree murder and armed burglary, which were eventually dropped. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

The driver now faces a second-degree murder charge, CHP officials said. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025

Noun

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to New York state charges, including murder as a crime of terrorism, murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument and seven counts of criminal possession of a firearm. —Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2025

The Home Improvement star was charged with domestic violence in the second degree, according to a representative for the Myrtle Beach Police Department. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

second-degree

adjective

: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury

a second-degree ankle sprain

see also second-degree burn compare first-degree, third-degree

Legal Definition

second degree

noun

sec·​ond degree

: the grade given to the second most serious forms of crimes

assault in the second degree

second-degree adjective