secondary school

noun

1. a high school or a school of corresponding grade, ranking between a primary school and a college or university.

secondary school

noun

1. a school for young people, usually between the ages of 11 and 18

Other Words From

• second·ary-school adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secondary school¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Two secondary schools could take on 600 extra pupils between them after plans to build a new school became too expensive.

From BBC

A secondary school has been forced to close due to an "external IT failure".

From BBC

Despite claiming she has "never really been academic", Isobel says she assumed she would end up at university throughout her time at secondary school.

From BBC

This became harder to deal with in secondary school.

From BBC

California requires elementary and secondary school students to be immunized against a range of diseases unless they have a medical exemption; the COVID-19 shot is recommended but not mandatory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• high school
• junior high school
• middle school
• prep school
• preparatory school
• senior high school