second language

noun

: a language that is learned in addition to the language a person first learned as a young child

Examples of second language in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Lambert, who was a substitute at Silver Rail before becoming a full-time teacher, also traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to sharpen her skills teaching English as a second language. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 The number of students who speak English as a second language has grown in the past couple of years. — Nicky Zizaza, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 Each clinic quotes differently, communicates differently, and plans recovery differently, and the patient does the reconciling, usually in a second language and sometimes on their own. — Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 Students in those programs would learn in English and a second language and would use the second language for at least half the school day. — Becky Pallack, ProPublica, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for second language

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second language.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20language. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster