What does sec mean?
Sec is an informal abbreviation for “second” when referring to a short interval of time. Expressions such as “wait a sec,” “in a sec,” and “give me a sec” are especially common in speech and informal writing. The word usually communicates brevity rather than an exact duration, so “just a sec” does not necessarily mean precisely one second. In more formal contexts, particularly legal, governmental, and technical writing, “sec.” may instead abbreviate “section,” as in a citation to a numbered provision. The abbreviation is used in both British and American English, although formal publications often favor the full words or recognized symbols. Overall, sec is useful when a writer wants to convey a brief pause efficiently without sounding overly formal.
nounAn informal abbreviation for “second,” especially a brief moment or interval of time. In legal and technical writing, “sec.” can also abbreviate “section.”
- A very short period of time or moment, used informally.
- An abbreviation for a section, especially in legal, governmental, or technical writing.
"Give me a sec—I’m almost ready."
"I’ll finish this in a sec."
"See sec. 4 for the eligibility requirements."
The plural secs is common in informal writing and speech, especially when several brief intervals are mentioned.
"Give me two secs to check the figures."
Sec turns a precise unit of time into a conversational pause: “Just a sec” means wait briefly, not necessarily for exactly one second.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sec come from?
In its temporal sense, sec is a clipping of “second,” a word that came through Old French from Latin secundus, meaning “second” or “following.” The related forms “secondary,” “secund,” and “secundus” reflect the same Latin foundation. The separate legal and technical sense developed as an abbreviation of “section,” which ultimately derives from Latin sectio, an act of cutting or a division.
How sec is actually used
As an abbreviation for “second,” sec is informal and conversational; professional writing usually uses the full word or the standard SI symbol “s.” The form “sec.” is common in formal references to numbered sections, especially in legal and governmental documents.
Easily confused with sec
Sec usually abbreviates “second” or “section,” whereas a sect is a group or school of thought with shared beliefs.