rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysecondAfter the first
numeral / adjective / noun / adverb / verb

second

SEK-uhnd/sˈɛkʌnd/

Following the first in a sequence or rank.

The middle object is second when you count from the left.

Three identical objects are arranged in clear left-to-right order, with the middle one marked only by the permitted functional numeral2; second in sequence.
Etymology
secondLatinfollowing, next in order

Latin secundus describes what follows or comes next, which supplies the idea of the position immediately after first. English adopted it in place of other, whose additional meanings made the ordinal sense ambiguous.

In context

Best Documentary952:47
the second tower of the World Trade Center, that would be tower number two, has collapsed.
9/11: The Complete Day | 20 Hours Raw Footage

More examples

  • Maya finishes second in the race.
  • We keep a second key in a safe place.
  • I second your proposal to postpone the vote.
  • The outlet sells factory seconds with minor flaws.

Forms

second · seconds · seconded · seconding

secondary adjective — Lower in rank, importance, or priority.

secondly adverb — Used to introduce a second point.

Similar words

next
Immediately following any position, not necessarily the first.
runner-up
Usually the second-place finisher, specifically in a competition.