Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Adjective: second  se-kund
  1. Coming next after the first in position in space, time, degree or magnitude
    - 2nd, 2d
     
  2. (music) a part or voice or instrument or orchestra section lower in pitch than or subordinate to the first
    "second flute"; "the second violins"
Noun: second  se-kund
  1. 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Système International d'Unités
    - sec, s
     
  2. An indefinitely short time
    "wait just a second";
    - moment, mo, minute, bit
     
  3. The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield
    - second base
     
  4. A particular point in time
    "the second he arrived the party began";
    - moment, minute, instant
     
  5. Following the first in an ordering or series
    "he came in a close second"
     
  6. A 60th part of a minute of arc
    "the treasure is 2 minutes and 45 seconds south of here";
    - arcsecond, arcsec
     
  7. The official attendant of a contestant in a duel or boxing match
     
  8. A speech seconding a motion
    "do I hear a second?";
    - secondment, endorsement, indorsement
     
  9. The gear that has the second lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle
    "he had to shift down into second to make the hill";
    - second gear
     
  10. Merchandise that has imperfections; usually sold at a reduced price without the brand name
    - irregular
Adverb: second  se-kund
  1. In the second place
    "second, we must consider the economy";
    - secondly
Verb: second  se-kund
  1. Give support or one's approval to
    "I'll second that motion";
    - back, endorse, indorse
Verb: second[2]  si'kónd
Usage: Brit
  1. Transfer an employee to a different, temporary assignment
    "The officer was second[2]ed for duty overseas"

Derived forms: seconds, seconded, seconding

See also: ordinal

Type of: agreement, angular unit, attendant, attender, back up, gear, gear mechanism, merchandise, point, point in time, position, product, rank, reassign, support, tender, time, time unit, transfer, unit of time, ware

Antonym: first

Part of: arcminute, automotive vehicle, baseball team, min, minute, minute of arc, motor vehicle

Encyclopedia: Second, Minute or Hour