second reading

noun

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

second reading

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of second reading¹

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Davis claimed the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which had its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, is affecting morale in the SAS, and its ability to recruit and retain soldiers.

Read more on BBC

The proposed legislation, which will receive its second reading later, aims to replace the controversial Troubles legacy act passed under the last Conservative government.

Read more on BBC

He told Nandy that a week after the second reading of the 'Hillsborough Law', which would impose a duty of candour on public officials, the appearance of Mr MacKenzie was considered a "backward step".

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Unusually the bill will have two days, rather than one, for an initial debate on the bill as a whole - known as second reading.

Read more on BBC