1. In order of importance or significance:
* Secondary to: Something that is less important or significant than something else.
* Example: "My job is secondary to my family."
* Secondary source: In research, a source that is not firsthand information but rather a commentary or analysis of primary sources.
* Example: A biography of a famous person is a secondary source, while the person's diary entries would be primary sources.
2. Occurring or existing after something else:
* Secondary education: Education that takes place after primary education (elementary school).
* Secondary infection: An infection that occurs as a result of a previous infection or injury.
* Secondary market: A market where previously issued securities are traded.
3. Relating to a subordinate or less important role:
* Secondary character: A character in a story who is not the main protagonist.
* Secondary color: A color that is created by mixing two primary colors (red, yellow, blue).
4. Related to the second of something:
* Secondary school: A school that follows elementary school (often called middle school or high school).
* Secondary winding: A winding on a transformer that is connected to the output circuit.
To understand the specific meaning of "secondary" in a given context, you need to consider the surrounding words and the overall topic.