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

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

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

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He said a second reading debate would normally be a vote "just on the principles of a bill and then you deal with the implementation" at later stages.

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

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Labour's Karl Turner, who voted in favour at second reading, is now abstaining.

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