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
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
Quinto, a great-grandfather of 10, is in Dade County Jail charged with second-degree murder.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
The charges Sullivan faces include assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
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Adjective
Prior to Monday’s plea agreement, Adonis faced up to 25 years in prison on a top charge of second-degree drug possession.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
Quinto, a great-grandfather of 10, is in Dade County Jail charged with second-degree murder.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
Mangione has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury on 11 counts, including one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree, along with other weapon and forgery charges.
—Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
The charges Sullivan faces include assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, cruelty to persons and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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