seconde/sə.ɡɔ̃d/
noun · A2 · Frequency 559
nounfeminine
Meanings
second (unit of time)
Basic unit of time, commonly used in timing and expressing time.
second (interval between two adjacent notes in a diatonic scale)
Musical term referring to the interval between two adjacent notes in a scale.
Examples
La seconde qui précède le départ semble interminable.
The second before the departure seems endless.
Il reste une seconde avant que le feu passe au vert.
There is one second left before the light turns green.
La seconde entre do et ré sonne clairement au piano.
The second between C and D sounds clear on the piano.
Collocations
- une fraction de secondea fraction of a second
- une seconde majeurea major second
Common mistakes
la seconde
une seconde
As a unit of time, 'seconde' is a feminine noun usually used with the indefinite article 'une' rather than the definite article 'la', to avoid misuse.
une seconde
la seconde
In musical terms, when referring to the interval, the definite article 'la seconde' is used to denote the specific interval concept.
Related words
synonyminstantinstant, minute, moment
synonymmomentmoment (point in time, short period)
nounfeminine
Meanings
second (unit of time)
Basic unit of time, commonly used in timing and expressing time.
second (interval between two adjacent notes in a diatonic scale)
Musical term referring to the interval between two adjacent notes in a scale.
Examples
Nous avons attendu quelques secondes avant de traverser la rue.
We waited a few seconds before crossing the street.
Les dernières secondes de la course ont été très éprouvantes.
The last seconds of the race were very demanding.
Le professeur a expliqué comment reconnaître les secondes dans cette mélodie.
The teacher explained how to recognize the seconds in this melody.