Skip to main content
second trimester

second trimester

8 3.1
A period of pregnancy from week 13 to week 27
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛkənd traɪˈmɛstər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : segundo trimestre
  • During the second trimester, many expectant mothers feel a surge of energy as their nausea decreases.
  • second trimester of pregnancy
  • second-trimester abortions
  • second-trimester exposure

But I obviously I had my low blood pressure at the start of the second trimester, which really threw me off.

Examples

  • Nope, they begin in the second trimester of the pregnancy under existing law.

    Blog text (12)
  • Your pregnancy will start to show during the second trimester.

    Blog text (32)
  • I am now in my second trimester with the second baby.

    Blog text (25)
  • But I obviously I had my low blood pressure at the start of the second trimester, which really threw me off.

  • Then I think slightly more towards the end of the second trimester, I had heartburn.

  • As soon as I get to my second trimester, I will have such relief and that's all I'm waiting for.

  • Mrs. Parrish is in for a second trimester sonogram.

  • During the second trimester, the government also could not outlaw abortions.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Fetal size in twins and singletons during the second trimester may be affected by several factors.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In the second trimester of each expectant mother, maternal venous blood was collected in trace element-free tubes and frozen.

    Academic text (2016)

How Old

full term
4 3.3
third trimester
  • Specialized
11 3.5
gestational age
  • Specialized
2 5.3
second trimester
  • Specialized
8 3.1
first trimester
  • Specialized
14 3.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

2nd + trimester

The meaning 'the period from the 13th to the 27th week' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'second' (the ordinal following first) with 'trimester' (a three-month stage of pregnancy). This numerical + period composition is cross-linguistically common (e.g. Spanish 'segundo trimestre') and follows a predictable pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Second trimester comes from dividing pregnancy into three parts called trimesters; each part is about three months, so the second is the 'middle' part. That's why it means the period from the 13th to the 27th week, often when many women have more energy and feel the baby move.