secondary

American  

[sek-uhn-der-ee] / ˈsɛk ənˌdɛr i /

adjective

1. next after the first in order, place, time, etc.

2. belonging or pertaining to a second order, division, stage, period, rank, grade, etc.

3. dependent on or generated by something more basic; derivative.

4. (in scholarly studies) pertaining to or being a derived or derivative account, an evaluation of original data, etc.; not primary or original, as in

5. of minor or lesser importance; subordinate; auxiliary.

   Synonyms:

   backup, supplementary, subsidiary

6. of or relating to secondary schools.

7. Chemistry.

   1. involving or obtained by the replacement of two atoms or groups.

   2. noting or containing a carbon atom united to two other carbon atoms in a chain or ring molecule.

8. Electricity. noting or pertaining to the current induced by a primary winding or to the winding in which the current is induced in an induction coil, transformer, or the like.

9. Geology. noting or pertaining to a mineral produced from another mineral by decay, alteration, or the like.

10. Grammar.

    1. (of a derivative) having a root or other unanalyzable element that is itself a word or free form.

       The word “glazier” is a secondary derivative formed by adding a suffix to “glaze.” The word "debatably" is formed directly from "debatable" and is therefore a secondary derivative from "debate."

    2. having reference to past time; noting or pertaining to a past tense.

       the Latin, Greek, or Sanskrit secondary tenses.

11. Ornithology. pertaining to any of a set of flight feathers on the second segment of a bird's wing.

12. Linguistics. of, relating to, or characteristic of a secondary accent.

    secondary stress.

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noun

plural

secondaries

1. a person or thing that is secondary.

2. a subordinate, assistant, deputy, or agent.

3. Electricity. a winding in a transformer or the like in which a current is induced by a primary winding.

4. Ornithology. a secondary feather.

5. Football. the defensive unit that lines up behind the linemen.

6. Linguistics. secondary accent.

secondary British  

/ -drɪ, ˈsɛkəndərɪ /

adjective

1. one grade or step after the first; not primary

2. derived from or depending on what is primary, original, or first

   a secondary source

3. below the first in rank, importance, etc; not of major importance

4. (prenominal) of or relating to the education of young people between the ages of 11 and 18

   secondary education

5. (of the flight feathers of a bird's wing) growing from the ulna

6. 1. being the part of an electric circuit, such as a transformer or induction coil, in which a current is induced by a changing current in a neighbouring coil

      a secondary coil

   2. (of a current) flowing in such a circuit Compare primary

7. (of an industry) involving the manufacture of goods from raw materials Compare primary tertiary

8. geology (of minerals) formed by the alteration of pre-existing minerals

9. chem

   1. (of an organic compound) having a functional group attached to a carbon atom that is attached to one hydrogen atom and two other groups

   2. (of an amine) having only two organic groups attached to a nitrogen atom; containing the group NH

   3. (of a salt) derived from a tribasic acid by replacement of two acidic hydrogen atoms with metal atoms or electropositive groups

10. linguistics

    1. derived from a word that is itself a derivation from another word. Thus, lovably comes from lovable and is a secondary derivative from love

    2. (of a tense in Latin, Greek, or Sanskrit) another word for historic

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noun

1. a person or thing that is secondary

2. a subordinate, deputy, or inferior

3. a secondary coil, winding, inductance, or current in an electric circuit

4. ornithol any of the flight feathers that grow from the ulna of a bird's wing See primary

5. astronomy a celestial body that orbits around a specified primary body

   the moon is the secondary of the earth

6. med a cancerous growth in some part of the body away from the site of the original tumour

7. American football

   1. cornerbacks and safeties collectively

   2. their area in the field

8. short for secondary colour

secondary Scientific  

/ sĕk′ən-dĕr′ē /

1. Relating to a secondary color.

2. Relating to or derived from either of the lateral meristems (the cork cambium or the vascular cambium) of vascular plants. For example, secondary xylem in a stem is produced by the vascular cambium, as opposed to primary xylem produced by the apical meristem during the original growth of the stem from a seedling.

3. See also secondary growth

4. 1. Relating to or having a carbon atom that is attached to two other carbon atoms in a molecule.

   2. Relating to an organic molecule, such as an alcohol, in which the functional group is attached to a secondary carbon.

5. Relating to a medical condition that arises as a result of another disorder, disease process, or injury.

6. Compare primary tertiary

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Other Word Forms

• secondarily adverb
• secondariness noun

Etymology

Origin of secondary

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word secundārius. See second ¹, -ary

Explanation

Something secondary is second most important. This can also refer to things that are not important at all. If you have a primary duty, that's what you need to do first. Secondary duties must be done next, since second is a form of the number two. You could say your secondary goal at a job is to get experience, if your main goal is to make money. Also, people will sometimes say, "This is our goal. Everything else is secondary." That means other concerns are trivial or unimportant. Either way, secondary things never come first.

Example Sentences

But wherever it takes place, the location now feels almost secondary.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

The 13-inch figurines then go for astronomical prices on the secondary market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

The secondary school was briefly placed on lockdown before the pursuit continued.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Natasha Blackmore, 36, who was head of design technology at Westfield Academy secondary in Yeovil, Somerset, shared inappropriate details about her social life, a Professional Conduct Panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency heard.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Although Descartes followed the ancient atomists in their distinction between primary and secondary qualities, he rejected their belief in empty space, the void.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• inferior
• insignificant
• trivial
• unimportant