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 bill co-authored by Zhelezniak is awaiting its second reading in Parliament after winning a first vote in July.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

The Bill, which was backed at its second reading, would introduce new rules on flights, lost luggage and price transparency.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 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

Locke King's bill for extending the franchise, upon the first reading of which, in February, the Ministers suffered the defeat which led to their resignation, came up for a second reading, April 2.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851 by Various