SEC

What Does SEC Mean?

The Quick Answer

SEC means "Second" and "Securities and Exchange Commission."

Second

In general chat, including in text messaging and on social media, sec usually means "second," which is the shortest measurement of time in general use. However, although it is an abbreviation of the word "second," it usually means a much larger period of time. For example:

I was only gone a sec! (A famous excuse for negligence.)
I'll be there in a sec. (A famous excuse for impunctuality.)
I'll be back in just a sec. (A highly improbable statement.)

In various scientific fields, such as in quantum physics, chemistry, and for technologies like GPS and high-speed electronics, much shorter units of time are commonly used. These include:

Milliseconds (ms): One thousandth of a second (0.001 second).
Microseconds (µs): One millionth of a second (0.000001 second).
Nanoseconds (ns): One billionth of a second (0.000000001 second).
Picoseconds (ps): One trillionth of a second (0.000000000001 second).
Femtoseconds (fs): One quadrillionth of a second (0.000000000000001 second).
Attoseconds (as): One quintillionth of a second (0.000000000000000001 second).

Securities and Exchange Commission

In a financial context, SEC means "Securities and Exchange Commission." It is a US federal agency responsible for enforcing federal securities laws and regulating the securities industry, including stock and options exchanges. Established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in the aftermath of the Great Depression, its primary mission is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation.

The SEC oversees securities exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds, aiming to promote a market environment that is trustworthy and transparent to the public. By requiring public companies to disclose meaningful financial information, the SEC plays a crucial role in ensuring that investors can make informed decisions about investments.

The SEC has finally approved Bitcoin ETFs.

Image for SEC

When I write SEC, I mean this:

"SEC" is a US federal agency, while "sec" is usually a brief period of time.

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Second" is, by far, the most common meaning for sec when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

SEC
Definition:	Second
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	1: Easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

Summary of Key Points for the Second Definition

"Securities and Exchange Commission" is a common definition for SEC in financial circles.

SEC
Definition:	Securities and Exchange Commission
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Specialists

An Academic Look at SEC

image for academic look, showing a teacher with a mortar board

When used to mean "second," sec is a shortened version of the actual word, therefore it is a contraction. Contractions can be formed in a number of ways, including:

Omitting letters from the word (e.g., pct (percent), obv (obviously)).
Using letters from the start and end of the word (e.g., adds, Dr (Doctor)).
Using an apostrophe to replace a letter or letters (e.g., don't (do not), can't (cannot)).

When used with the meaning "Securities and Exchange Commission," SEC is classified as an initialism abbreviation, as it is pronounced one letter at a time. Other examples of initialisms are AI ("Artificial Intelligence") and EW ("Electronic Warfare").