Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of less importance than something else; subordinate: "secondary" describes something that is not primary, main, or of first importance.
   • Coming after, or derived from, something primary or original: "secondary" can refer to something that is a consequence of, or develops from, a primary source or event.
   • Relating to education for students after primary school: "secondary" specifically refers to the stage of schooling following elementary or primary education.

2. Noun:

   • A defensive player in American football who lines up behind the linemen: In sports, particularly American football, "secondary" refers to the group of defensive players (cornerbacks and safeties) responsible for pass coverage.
   • A coil in which current is induced by a primary coil: In electrical engineering, a "secondary" is the coil in a transformer that receives energy by induction from the primary coil.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Financial gain was a secondary consideration for her when choosing the job. (Monetary benefit was less important than other factors.)
  • The patient developed a secondary infection after the initial illness. (A new infection occurred as a complication of the first one.)
  • She teaches at a secondary school. (She teaches at a school for teenagers, typically from grades 6-12 or 9-12.)

• Noun:

  • The quarterback's pass was intercepted by a player in the secondary. (A defensive back caught the thrown football.)
  • The voltage is stepped down between the primary and the secondary of the transformer. (The electrical potential is reduced in the output coil.)

Advanced Usage

• "secondary to": of lesser importance than; occurring as a result of.

  • His wishes were always secondary to the needs of the family. (The family's needs were always more important than what he wanted.)
  • The headache was secondary to the sinus infection. (The headache was caused by the sinus infection.)

• "play a secondary role": to be in a position of less importance or influence.

  • In the negotiations, economic factors played a secondary role to political ones. (Political concerns were more important than economic ones.)

Variants and Related Words

• Secondarily (adverb): in a secondary manner; as a secondary consideration.
  • The issue was addressed only secondarily during the meeting. (It was dealt with after more important matters.)

Synonyms

• Adjective: Subordinate, lesser, minor, ancillary, derivative, subsequent.
• Noun (sports): Defensive backfield.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Primary, main, principal, chief, fundamental.

Related Phrases

• Secondary source: A document, recording, or other source of information that was created later by someone who did not experience first-hand the events being studied.
  • For your research paper, you must use primary sources, not just secondary sources.
• Secondary market: A market where investors buy and sell securities they already own (e.g., the stock market), as opposed to a primary market where securities are created.
  • He sold his shares on the secondary market.
• Secondary education: The stage of formal education following primary education, often culminating in a high school diploma.
  • The country has made great strides in improving access to secondary education.

Adjective

1. belonging to a lower class or rank
2. not of major importance
   • played a secondary role in world events
3. depending on or incidental to what is original or primary
   • a secondary infection
4. inferior in rank or status
   • the junior faculty
   • a lowly corporal
   • petty officialdom
   • a subordinate functionary
5. being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate
   • the stone will be hauled to a secondary crusher
   • a secondary source
   • a secondary issue
   • secondary streams

Noun

1. coil such that current is induced in it by passing a current through the primary coil
2. the defensive football players who line up behind the linemen