Dictionary

sec en · NOUN

(informal) Second, ¹⁄₆₀ of a minute.
- It is not permissible to use abbreviations for unit symbols or unit names, such as sec (for either s or second), sq. mm (for either mm² or square millimetre), cc (for either cm³ or cubic centimetre), or mps (for either m/s or metre per second). 2025 August 14, “The International System of Units (SI)”, in Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, archived from the original on 17 Sep 2025, page 147:
(abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, colloquial) Clipping of second (“short indeterminate period of time”).
alt of second
- Wait a sec!
- And the sloping of the shoulder / From the slender shapely neck / Makes you long to come behind her and to hold her / Just a sec. 1881 August 27, “In Church”, in Supplement to the Manchester Weekly Times, Manchester, England, page 8:
(abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, colloquial, especially) Clipping of secretary.
alt of secretary
- shadow sec

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
sec	Number=Plur		lexicographic
secs	Number=Plur		lexicographic
sec.		alternative	lexicographic