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.
Grossman, who is 62 years old and the wife of prominent plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman, was convicted of second-degree murder and is serving 15 years to life in prison for the boys’ deaths.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026
The officer involved was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to seven years in prison.
From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2026
In 2021, a Minnesota jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on a second-degree murder charge in connection with the 2020 in-custody death of George Floyd.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
TMZ was the first to report about Couture’s crash and his injuries, which include first- and second-degree burns, trauma injuries and smoke inhalation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2025
Beverly Tison, Garrett's wife, sustained multiple second-degree burns, leaving her in serious condition.
From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone
The second degree impact of inflation has yet to play out.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
Karen Read has been charged with second degree murder and other charges in the 2022 death of Officer John O’Keefe.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 30, 2024
The only charge that related to actions outside the SUV was harassment in the second degree.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 21, 2023
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
“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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
