penultimate

American  

[pi-nuhl-tuh-mit] / pɪˈnʌl tə mɪt /

adjective

1. next to the last.

   the penultimate scene of the play.

2. of or relating to a penult or the next to the last syllable in a word.

   In the word appropriate, -pri- is the penultimate syllable.

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noun

1. a penult.

penultimate British  

/ pɪˈnʌltɪmɪt /

adjective

1. next to the last

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noun

1. anything that is next to the last, esp a penult

Etymology

Origin of penultimate

First recorded in 1670–80; penult, ultimate

Example Sentences

The teams traded points after that until Canada struck a crucial blow in the penultimate end.

From Barron's

Bruce Mouat's world champions were on the brink of a shock early exit in Italy after losing their penultimate round-robin match to Canada.

From BBC

After a neck and neck race with Korea, in which the Italians briefly took the lead but were overtaken on the penultimate lap, the hosts took silver and Fontana got her medal.

From BBC

Sam Curran, who also defended 10 from the last over against Nepal, dismissed Stewart in the penultimate over.

From BBC

He made a side-to-side move at the rim on his penultimate attempt, then sprinted the length of the court and soared for a windmill jam on his last effort.

From Los Angeles Times