Second Meaning
Second Definition & Usage
A unit of time equal to one-sixtieth of a minute.
Examples
- "I need just a second to finish this email."
- "The race was won by a mere second."
- "He arrived just a second too late to catch the bus."
- "The time on the clock was exactly 10 seconds to midnight."
- "The rocket launched 10 seconds after the countdown reached zero."
The person or thing that comes after the first in a sequence or ranking.
Examples
- "He finished in second place in the competition."
- "The second chapter of the book is my favorite."
- "She is my second-best friend, after Lily."
- "In the race, they were overtaken by the second car."
- "Her second attempt was much better than her first."
Of or relating to the number two in a sequence or list.
Examples
- "The second door on the left is the bathroom."
- "He was the second person to arrive at the party."
- "This is my second visit to the city."
- "I prefer the second option on the menu."
- "She gave me a second chance after I apologized."
To formally agree with or support something that has been proposed or suggested.
Examples
- "I second the motion to start the meeting."
- "She seconded his nomination for president."
- "We need someone to second the proposal before we can vote."
- "I will second your idea at the next board meeting."
- "The committee has seconded the new policy."
Cultural Context
The word 'second' has its origins in Latin 'secundus', meaning favorable, following, or next. It was used in medieval Latin to denote something that came after the first in a sequence, particularly in terms of ranking or time. Today, 'second' is an essential term in both everyday speech and specialized contexts, such as timekeeping, competitive ranking, and formal meetings.
The Race for Second Place
Story
The Race for Second Place
The annual school race was fast approaching, and Amy was determined to beat her old record. She had trained for weeks, pushing herself harder than ever before. On the day of the race, the excitement in the air was palpable. Everyone gathered at the starting line, but Amy was distracted by the thought of her closest rival, Jake. As the race began, Amy surged forward, trying to get ahead of the pack. But as they neared the final stretch, it became clear that she was not going to win. Jake had pulled ahead, leaving her behind by a few meters. With only seconds remaining, Amy pushed harder, giving everything she had left. Despite her efforts, Jake crossed the finish line first, securing first place. Amy, however, was not discouraged. She had finished in second place, but that was enough for her. She was proud of her personal best, even if it wasn't a victory. After all, 'second' was still a respectable position in the race. As she caught her breath, Jake walked over and congratulated her, shaking her hand and saying, 'You were incredible out there. You'll get first next time.' Amy smiled and said, 'Maybe, but I’m just glad I made it this far.' Later that evening, at the post-race ceremony, Amy was asked to speak about her performance. She stood up in front of the crowd and said, 'I may not have come in first, but I'm proud to have finished second. And that, I think, is something worth celebrating.'
Related Words
