number two

American  

noun

1. someone or something that is second in rank, order, or importance.

2. defecation: used especially by or with reference to children.

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idioms

1. make / do / go number two, to defecate: used especially by or with reference to children.

number two British  

noun

1. euphemistic the act or an instance of defecation

2. a haircut in which the hair is cut close to the head with an electric shaver

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Etymology

Origin of number two

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

On the night of the world's worst nuclear accident, he was working as a turbine mechanic in unit number two, a few hundred metres from reactor number four, which exploded during a safety test.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

The world number two has been far from his best in the competition he won last May, with just seven match wins after the 12th week.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The supervisors appointed Curtis in a 3-2 vote, passing over Joanna Francescut, who had worked in the elections office since 2008 and was Darling Allen’s number two.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

The world number two ended Australian 21-year-old Talia Gibson's impressive run in a 6-2 6-2 victory.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

I was still ranked number two in the country and number twelve in the world after the Olympics.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad