second-class

Universal Words adjective 1 (disapproving) (of a person) less important than other people: Older people should not be treated as second-class citizens. 2 of a lower standard or quality than the best: a second-class education 3 [onlybeforenoun] connected with the less expensive way of travelling on a train, ship, etc: second-class carriages / compartments / passengers 4 [onlybeforenoun] (in Britain) connected with letters, parcels/packages, etc. that you pay less to send and that are delivered less quickly: second-class letters / stamps 5 (in the US) connected with the system of sending newspapers and magazines by mail 6 [onlybeforenoun] used to describe a British university degree which is good but not of the highest class: Applicants should have at least a second-class honours degree. second-class adverb: to send a letter second-class * to travel second-class