sec·ond¹ / ˈsekənd/ • ordinal number 1. constituting number two in a sequence; coming after the first in time or order; 2nd: he married for a second time Herbie was the second of their six children. ∎  secondly (used to introduce a second point or reason): second, they are lightly regulated; and third, they do business with nonresident clients. ∎  alternating; other: auctions are held every second week. ∎  Mus. an interval spanning two consecutive notes in a diatonic scale. ∎  the note that is higher by this interval than the tonic of a diatonic scale or root of a chord. ∎  the second in a sequence of a vehicle's gears: he took the corner in second. ∎ Baseball second base. ∎  the second grade of a school. ∎  (seconds) inf. a second course or second helping of food at a meal. ∎  denoting someone or something regarded as comparable to or reminiscent of a better-known predecessor: a fear that the conflict would turn into a second Vietnam. ∎  an act or instance of seconding.2. subordinate or inferior in position, rank, or importance: it was second only to Copenhagen among Baltic ports he is a writer first and a scientist second. ∎  additional to that already existing, used, or possessed: a second home French as a second language. ∎  the second finisher or position in a race or competition: he finished second. ∎ Brit. a place in the second-highest grade in an examination, esp. for a degree: she got a first in moral sciences and a second in history. ∎  Mus. performing a lower or subordinate of two or more parts for the same instrument or voice: the second violins. ∎  (seconds) goods of an inferior quality. ∎  coarse flour, or bread made from it.3. an assistant, in particular: ∎  an attendant assisting a combatant in a duel or boxing match.• v. [tr.] formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution or its proposer) as a necessary preliminary to adoption or further discussion: Bertonazzi seconded Birmingham's nomination. ∎  express agreement with: her view is seconded by most Indian leaders today. ∎ archaic support; back up: so well was he seconded by the multitude of laborers at his command.PHRASES: in the second place as a second consideration or point.second to none the best, worst, fastest, etc.DERIVATIVES: sec·ond·er n.sec·ond² / ˈsekənd/ • n. 1. (abbr.: s) a sixtieth of a minute of time, which as the SI unit of time is defined in terms of the natural periodicity of the radiation of a cesium-133 atom. (Symbol: ″) ∎ inf. a very short time: his eyes met Charlotte's for a second.2. (also arc second or second of arc) a sixtieth of a minute of angular distance. (Symbol: ″) sec·ond³ / siˈkänd/ • v. [tr.] Brit. transfer (a military officer or other official or worker) temporarily to other employment or another position: I was seconded to a public relations unit.DERIVATIVES: sec·ond·ee / ˌsekənˈdē/ n.