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
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
He has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the prosecutor’s office.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Nelson pleaded guilty to second degree murder without intent; the other charges were dismissed.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Read, 45, faced charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, while allegedly driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing death.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
He has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the prosecutor’s office.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
Noun
Prosecutors have charged Bangura with assault in the first degree with a deadly-weapon enhancement and assault in the second degree with a deadly-weapon enhancement.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
Nelson pleaded guilty to second degree murder without intent; the other charges were dismissed.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 3 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share