Is 'secondary process' always less important than the primary one?

Not necessarily less important, but it is subsequent, supportive, or derivative. Its importance depends on context.

Can I use 'secondary process' in everyday conversation?

It is quite formal. In everyday talk, phrases like 'next step', 'extra stage', or 'follow-up' are more common.

What is the main difference between 'secondary process' in engineering vs. psychology?

In engineering, it's a tangible, operational stage. In Freudian psychology, it's an abstract mental function governing logical and delayed gratification.

Is 'secondary processing' hyphenated?

As a compound adjective before a noun, it often is (secondary-process stage). As a noun or verb, it usually is not.

Is “secondary process” formal?

Secondary process is usually formal, academic, technical in register.

How do you pronounce “secondary process”?

Secondary process: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛk(ə)nd(ə)ri ˈprəʊsɛs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ˈprɑsɛs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

secondary process: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

B2-C1

UK/ˈsɛk(ə)nd(ə)ri ˈprəʊsɛs/US/ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ˈprɑsɛs/

Formal, Academic, Technical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “secondary process” mean?

A supporting or subsequent procedure that is not the primary or initial one.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A supporting or subsequent procedure that is not the primary or initial one; in psychoanalysis, conscious, logical thought governed by reality principle.

Any system, operation, or sequence that is subordinate, auxiliary, or derived from a main process; in manufacturing, a follow-up stage; in computing, a background or child thread.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Slight preference in British English for 'secondary process' in detailed technical/industrial contexts. In American business English, 'secondary procedure' or 'supporting process' is equally common. The Freudian meaning is used identically.

Connotations

UK: Often implies formal, documented stages in a system. US: Can carry a slight nuance of being less efficient or a bureaucratic add-on.

Frequency

Higher frequency in UK technical writing. Slightly more common in US academic psychology texts.

Grammar

How to Use “secondary process” in a Sentence

[subject] involves/requires/includes a secondary process [of + noun/-ing]The secondary process [verb: handles, manages, refines] [object][Noun] is governed by the secondary process

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

manufacturing secondary processundergo a secondary processessential secondary processFreudian secondary process

medium

part of the secondary processrequires a secondary processsecondary process of thought

weak

complex secondary processsecondary process involvedsecondary process stage

Examples

Examples of “secondary process” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The data is then secondary processed to remove anomalies.
We need to secondary-process these materials off-site.

American English

The software secondary-processes the images automatically.
They secondary-process the components at a different facility.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

We must streamline the secondary processes to improve overall efficiency.

Academic

The study examines the role of secondary cognitive processes in decision-making.

Everyday

Getting the permit was the main hassle; the secondary process was just posting the notice.

Technical

The wastewater undergoes a secondary process of biological filtration.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “secondary process”

Strong

derived processfollow-up stage

Neutral

supporting processsubsequent procedureauxiliary operation

Weak

additional stepfurther processing

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “secondary process”

primary processcore proceduremain operationinitial stage

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “secondary process”

Using 'second process' (which implies sequence, not subordination).
Confusing with 'secondary product'.
Using plural 'secondary process' when referring to the Freudian concept (usually singular).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Not necessarily less important, but it is subsequent, supportive, or derivative. Its importance depends on context.
: It is quite formal. In everyday talk, phrases like 'next step', 'extra stage', or 'follow-up' are more common.
: In engineering, it's a tangible, operational stage. In Freudian psychology, it's an abstract mental function governing logical and delayed gratification.
: As a compound adjective before a noun, it often is (secondary-process stage). As a noun or verb, it usually is not.
: A supporting or subsequent procedure that is not the primary or initial one.
: Secondary process is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
: Secondary process: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛk(ə)nd(ə)ri ˈprəʊsɛs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛkənˌdɛri ˈprɑsɛs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“(It's) just a secondary process”
“Lost in the secondary processes”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a SECONDARY SCHOOL – it comes after primary school, just as a SECONDARY PROCESS comes after the primary one.

Conceptual Metaphor

THINKING IS MANUFACTURING (The mind 'produces' logical thoughts through its secondary processes).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the initial assessment, a more detailed is used to verify the findings.

Multiple Choice

In a Freudian context, the 'secondary process' is best described as: