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
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026
Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, of Turlock, was convicted of second-degree murder and felony child neglect in connection with the death of her 2-year-old, Daniellé Pires, the Stanislaus County district attorney’s office announced in a news release last week.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
The Portland Police Bureau said six people were arrested, with those detained facing charges including riot, disorderly conduct in the second degree and interfering with a peace officer.
—Michael Dorgan , Alexandra Koch , Bill Melugin , Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
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Adjective
When Glassman asked him if the burns were third-degree or second-degree, Rudd feigned being unable to recall what doctors had told him.
—Noun
They were booked on suspicion of second degree disorderly conduct.
—Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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