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

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

From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026

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".

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2025

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

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

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2025

That’s contrary to treaty, replied my father:———besides, there is something so whimsical, especially in the latter part of it, I should grieve to lose the pleasure of a second reading.

From The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Sterne, Laurence