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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

second reading

It will now face parliamentary review before it can return to parliament for a second reading.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

A bill co-authored by Zhelezniak is awaiting its second reading in Parliament after winning a first vote in July.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 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

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

The next day the second reading was carried, and on April 12 the bill was passed.

From Current History: A Monthly Magazine of the New York Times, May 1918 Vol. VIII, Part I, No. 2 by Various

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