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 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

Byrne, who was speaking during a House of Commons debate of the second reading of the Football Governance Bill, added: "We need to tackle the issue of the pricing out of working class supporters."

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025

The confidence which the bold action of the ministry had won was soon plainly proved, for the second reading was carried in the new parliament by a majority of 136.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various