second reading

American  

noun

1. the stage in the consideration of a legislative bill that provides an opportunity for debate and amendment.

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second reading British  

noun

1. the second presentation of a bill in a legislative assembly, as to approve its general principles (in Britain), or to discuss a committee's report on it (in the US)

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Etymology

Origin of second reading

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

second reading

A second reading will take place at some stage to be determined, which will decide if the bill can move forward in the legislative process or be rejected again.

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

The unicameral National Assembly unanimously backed the mining law on its second reading, assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez announced.

From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026

Maybe only on second reading do we realize that we’ve been reading a kind of Dear John letter to America.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2025

It will now go to the upper house, the Senate, before a second reading in the National Assembly.

From BBC ● May 27, 2025

But if we can carry thirty men into the opposition lobby on the second reading, we shall have made a demonstration which will go far to kill the bill.

From The Turnstile by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)