Phrase guide

second-degree murder

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The criminal offence of murder in a form defined as less serious than first-degree murder; the precise distinction may vary by jurisdiction but typically involves second-degree murder being intentional but not premeditated.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada, US, countable, uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An act that constitutes the crime of second-degree murder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada, US, countable, uncountable

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: tappo — act or crime of murder with intent, but without premeditation
  • Finnish: toisen asteen murha — act or crime of murder with intent, but without premeditation
  • French: meurtre au deuxième degré — act or crime of murder with intent, but without premeditation
  • Hungarian: szándékos, de nem előre megfontolt szándékkal elkövetett emberölés — act or crime of murder with intent, but without premeditation
  • Polish: morderstwo drugiego stopnia — act or crime of murder with intent, but without premeditation
  • Swedish: dråp — act or crime of murder with intent, but without premeditation