second reading

American  

noun

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

---

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)

---

Etymology

Origin of second reading

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

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

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

The second reading of the bill is expected to take place in Parliament on 4 July.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2025

The way out of that is to pass the second reading, and to correct in Committee what was done wrong in Committee.

From Letters of Lord Acton To Mary, Daughter of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone by Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron