relating to a category or level that is next to the highest or most serious in a series, especially to a crime less serious than the first degree, such as second-degree murder or second-degree assault.
relating to a category that is next to the lowest or least serious in a series, especially to a burn more serious than a first-degree burn but not as serious as a third-degree burn.
(of a relative) being connected by blood through another immediate blood relative. Aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents and grandchildren, and half-siblings are second-degree relatives.
a category or level that is next to the highest or most serious in a series, especially with reference to a crime, such as grand theft of the second degree.
a category that is next to the lowest or least serious in a series, or that comes after or below the first degree.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Only 20% of the patients had a first- or second-degree family history of colorectal cancer.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
Jurors can also find Clancy guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, or not guilty by lack of criminal responsibility -- a verdict that would see Clancy sent to a psychiatric facility.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
Extreme emotional disturbance would allow the jury to consider the less severe charge of manslaughter, rather than second-degree murder.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
Voting in an election when the voter is ineligible is a second-degree felony under Texas law and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026
Another Louisiana man, Johnny Lee Ball, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after meeting with a public defender for just eleven minutes before trial.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
The second degree impact of inflation has yet to play out.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
Karen Read, 44, of Mansfield, faces several charges including second degree murder in the death of John O’Keefe, 46, in 2022.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 2024
The Marvel actor was found not guilty on one count of intentional assault in the third degree and aggravated harassment in the second degree.
From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2023
He plans to get a second degree, in computer science, at the University of West Florida and catch up on his finances.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 29, 2023
“Those of us who have reached the second degree wear it like that,” said Eric.
From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
