secondary
/'sekəndəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- belonging to a lower class or rank
- not of major importance
- played a secondary role in world events
- depending on or incidental to what is original or primary
- a secondary infection
- inferior in rank or status
- the junior faculty
- a lowly corporal
- petty officialdom
- a subordinate functionary
- 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
- coil such that current is induced in it by passing a current through the primary coil
- the defensive football players who line up behind the linemen