number two

American  

noun

1. someone or something that is second in rank, order, or importance.

2. defecation: used especially by or with reference to children.

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idioms

1. make / do / go number two, to defecate: used especially by or with reference to children.

number two British  

noun

1. euphemistic the act or an instance of defecation

2. a haircut in which the hair is cut close to the head with an electric shaver

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Etymology

Origin of number two

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Olivia Dean's The Art of Loving is at number two in the album chart, while US rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, is at number three with his new release Bully.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

World number two Jannik Sinner plays Czech 21st seed Jiri Lehecka in the men's singles final on Sunday.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

He chose as his number two a heavy metal guitarist from San Francisco — stage name “Turmoil” — who is a progressive Democrat.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

India, the world's number two importer of liquefied petroleum gas which is used to produce cooking gas, has prioritised supplies for households.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The only member of Joe’s old crew in that first boat was Shorty Hunt, at number two.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown