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
Christine Pelisek, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the charges in a press release on Tuesday, writing that Morgan had been charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny and 23 counts of first-degree falsifying business records.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 30 Oct. 2024
Ayana Bryant, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2024
According to court records Meier had six prior felony convictions going back to 2008 in Alameda and Santa Clara counties, including for drug possession, second degree burglary and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for second-degree 
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Adjective
That same month, Peres Magalhaes was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony in the death of Ryan.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the charges in a press release on Tuesday, writing that Morgan had been charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny and 23 counts of first-degree falsifying business records.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
Hayes was found guilty of the lesser charge of murder in the second degree.
—Ayana Bryant, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2024
According to court records Meier had six prior felony convictions going back to 2008 in Alameda and Santa Clara counties, including for drug possession, second degree burglary and unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for second-degree
Dictionary Entries Near second-degree
Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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