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
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
The jury found Perez not guilty of first-degree and second-degree of murder in the fifth homicide charge.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Durant was convicted last year of three counts of second degree murder.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
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Adjective
Malek Daniels, 20, pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action and second-degree assault, according to a Jackson County plea and sentencing document.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
The jury found Perez not guilty of first-degree and second-degree of murder in the fifth homicide charge.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
Kendra was booked into an Arkansas jail on March 20 after she and Joseph were charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and four counts of false imprisonment in the second degree.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Durant was convicted last year of three counts of second degree murder.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
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 7 Apr. 2026.
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