sec

[ sek ]

/ sɛk /

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adjective

(of wines) dry; not sweet.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sec

From French, dating back to 1885–90; see origin at sack³

Other definitions for sec (2 of 5)

sec²

[ sek ]

/ sɛk /

noun Informal.

second² (def. 2).

Origin of sec

First recorded in 1955–60; by shortening

Other definitions for sec (3 of 5)

sec

secant.

second².

section.

Other definitions for sec (4 of 5)

SEC

or S.E.C.

U.S. Government.

Securities and Exchange Commission: a board, consisting of five members, charged with regulating the public offer and sale of securities.

Other definitions for sec (5 of 5)

sec.

abbreviation

second.

secondary.

secretary.

section.

sector.

according to.

Origin of sec.

From the Latin word secundum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sec in a sentence

Extra dry, for example, is actually sweeter than brut, which is drier than demi-sec, which is somewhat sweet.
Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong|Kayleigh Kulp|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Bush has done exactly that, filing the papers for BH Global Aviation with the SEC right around Thanksgiving.
Be the Smarter Bush Brother, Jeb: Don’t Run!|Michael Tomasky|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The FEC has held that social-welfare nonprofits like the Kentucky Opportunity Coalition, which are organized under Sec.
Mystery Man Buys Kentucky for the GOP|Center for Public Integrity|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The SEC disclosure filed last month is required once a firm has more than $100 million under management.
Jeb Bush’s Risky Business|Patricia Murphy|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So did a jingle lawsuit from Dr Pepper and several additional suits from the SEC.
Pancakes and Pickaninnies: The Saga of ‘Sambo’s,’ The ‘Racist’ Restaurant Chain America Once Loved|Andrew Romano|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some even went 'jusqu' l'Arbre sec, Ou li oisel pendent au bec.'
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
Son style est chti et correct, quoique un peu dur et sec; son ton est grave et soutenu.
Baron d'Holbach|Max Pearson Cushing
He didn't sec his mother's letter, but he knew that it went.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
Guide center designates the left guide of the center company, as explained in 3d Sec.
Manual of Military Training|James A. Moss
After our coffee, cigarettes, and a "triple-sec" each, we strolled round to the General Post Office.
The Sign of Silence|William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for sec (1 of 5)

sec¹

/ (sɛk) /

adjective

(of wines) dry

(of champagne) of medium sweetness

Word Origin for sec

C19: from French, from Latin siccus

British Dictionary definitions for sec (2 of 5)

sec²

/ (sɛk) /

noun

informal short for second 2 wait a sec

British Dictionary definitions for sec (3 of 5)

sec³

/ (sɛk) /

abbreviation for

secant

British Dictionary definitions for sec (4 of 5)

SEC

abbreviation for

Securities and Exchange Commission

British Dictionary definitions for sec (5 of 5)

sec.

abbreviation for

second (of time)

secondary

secretary

section

sector

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for sec

sec

Abbreviation of secant

sec

Origin of sec

Other definitions for sec (2 of 5)

Origin of sec

Other definitions for sec (3 of 5)

Other definitions for sec (4 of 5)

or S.E.C.

Other definitions for sec (5 of 5)

Origin of sec.

Words related to sec

How to use sec in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sec (1 of 5)

Word Origin for sec

British Dictionary definitions for sec (2 of 5)

British Dictionary definitions for sec (3 of 5)

British Dictionary definitions for sec (4 of 5)

British Dictionary definitions for sec (5 of 5)

Scientific definitions for sec