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"

1. 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Système International d'Unités
   "The race was won by a fraction of a second";
   - sec, s
    
2. An indefinitely short time
   "wait just a second";
   - moment, mo, minute, bit
    
3. Following the first in an ordering or series
   "he came in a close second"
    
4. A particular point in time
   "the second he arrived the party began";
   - moment, minute, instant
    
5. A 60th part of a minute of arc
   "the treasure is 2 minutes and 45 seconds south of here";
   - arcsecond, arcsec
    
6. The fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the second of the bases in the infield
   "She excelled at turning double plays from second base";
   - second base
    
7. The official attendant of a contestant in a duel or boxing match
   "The boxer's second gave him advice between rounds"
    
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
    "She bought seconds at the outlet store to save money";
    - irregular

1. In the second place
   "second, we must consider the economy";
   - secondly

1. Give support or one's approval to
   "I'll second that motion";
   - back, endorse, indorse [rare]

1. Transfer an employee to a different, temporary assignment
   "The officer was seconded for duty overseas"

Derived forms: seconded, seconding, seconds

See also: ordinal

Type of: agreement, angular unit, attendant, attender, back up, gear, gear mechanism, merch [informal], 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