second reading

American

noun

the stage in the consideration of a legislative bill that provides an opportunity for debate and amendment.

second reading British

noun

the second presentation of a bill in a legislative assembly, as to approve its general principles (in Britain), or to discuss a committee's report on it (in the US)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of second reading

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

second reading

The Bill, which was backed at its second reading, would introduce new rules on flights, lost luggage and price transparency.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

The single patient record is part of the NHS Modernisation Bill which has its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

The unicameral National Assembly unanimously backed the mining law on its second reading, assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez announced.

From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026

The bill passed its second reading in the Commons last year and will also have to be passed by the House of Lords before it can become law.

From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026

“After I had concluded my speech in moving the second reading, a member accosted me in the lobby and said: ‘Mr. Plimsoll, you were mistaken in that statement of yours.’

From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 2 by Whymper, Frederick

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023