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

The single patient record is part of the NHS Modernisation Bill which has its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 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

The government's bill last month passed its second reading in the House of Commons.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 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

They were defeated on the second reading of the bill, Gladstone voting with them.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various