sec·ond-degree
ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē 
-kᵊŋ-
1
US, of a crime
: of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment
second-degree assault/murder
2
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree concussion
see also second-degree burn
US
: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment
He was charged with assault in the second degree.
Examples of second-degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
The woman’s husband, Lloyd Matthew McKenzie, 52, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault, according to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
In May, a Virginia man was charged with second degree murder for fatally shooting an 18-year-old filming the prank for TikTok, The New York Times reported.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
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Adjective
In another ding-dong-ditch prank in 2025, a Virginia 18-year-old was shot and killed in May and a homeowner charged with crimes including second-degree murder.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
The woman’s husband, Lloyd Matthew McKenzie, 52, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault, according to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
The 1993 conviction in Alameda County was for second degree robbery and the 2009 conviction in Alameda County was for felon in possession of a firearm.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025
In May, a Virginia man was charged with second degree murder for fatally shooting an 18-year-old filming the prank for TikTok, The New York Times reported.
—Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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