secondary school

American  

noun

1. a high school or a school of corresponding grade, ranking between a primary school and a college or university.

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secondary school British  

noun

1. a school for young people, usually between the ages of 11 and 18

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Other Word Forms

• secondary-school adjective

Etymology

Origin of secondary school

First recorded in 1825–35

Compare meaning

How does secondary-school compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• secondary school vs. high school

Example Sentences

The secondary school was briefly placed on lockdown before the pursuit continued.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Faye, who comes from Glasgow, began writing songs when she was at secondary school.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Steffan Griffiths, of Ysgol Nantgaredig in Carmarthen, said problems attracting teachers in some secondary school subjects was "quite frightening" and he was aware of issues at primary level too.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

"We named it after my secondary school physics teacher," says Ewan Bodenham, PhD student at the Natural History Museum London and UCL, lead author of the new paper.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

He had transferred from the university secondary school in Nsukka, and only days after, everyone knew of the swirling rumors about his mother.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• high school
• junior high school
• middle school
• prep school
• preparatory school
• senior high school