sec
sec
2
American
[sek]
/ sɛk /
adjective
sec
3
American
[sek]
/ sɛk /
noun
Informal.
secs
plural
SEC
4
American
Or
S.E.C.
U.S. Government.
sec.
5
American
abbreviation
-
second.
-
secondary.
-
secretary.
-
section.
-
sector.
-
according to.
sec
1
British
/ sɛk /
abbreviation
sec
2
British
/ sɛk /
adjective
-
(of wines) dry
-
(of champagne) of medium sweetness
SEC
3
British
abbreviation
sec.
4
British
abbreviation
-
second (of time)
-
secondary
-
secretary
-
section
-
sector
sec
5
British
/ sɛk /
noun
sec
Scientific
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of sec2
From French, dating back to 1885–90; see origin at sack 3
Origin of sec3
First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening
Origin of sec.5
From the Latin word secundum
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I was waving at my friend and sister like 'I'll be home in a sec just doing a loop round the block!'," he says about the Europa League celebrations.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
Hang on a sec, we imagine Karl saying, this connection is terrible.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
Mir became the pace setter after the 28-year-old clocked 1 min 56.874 sec on his Honda machine after 11 laps, to become the fastest rider over two days of testing in Malaysia.
From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026
Back up for a sec: Koufax pitched a shutout in Game 5 on Oct.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2024
I stop on the sidewalk for a sec, my throat aching in the cold.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
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.
