Secundaire

Secundaire is a Dutch adjective meaning secondary, second in order, importance, or role. The word derives from Latin secundarius and is used across different domains to label something that follows or complements a primary or initial element. In many contexts it functions as a technical term within established classifications.

In economics, the secundaire sector refers to the part of the economy that processes raw materials into finished goods, including manufacturing, construction, and related industries. It sits between the primary sector (extraction and farming) and the tertiary sector (services). The term is common in discussions of economic structure and development, though specific classifications can vary by country or statistical system.

In education, the term appears in phrases such as secundair onderwijs, which denotes the stage of schooling that follows primary education. In the Netherlands and Flanders this corresponds to secondary or middle-high school levels, with different tracks or streams designed to prepare students for further study or the workforce.

In public health, secundaire preventie describes measures taken after the onset of a disease to prevent progression, complications, or recurrence. This contrasts with primaire preventie (preventing the disease from occurring) and tertiaire preventie (reducing long-term damage once a condition is established). Examples include screening programs, early treatment, and secondary rehabilitation.

The term also appears in technical domains, for example in linguistics as secundaire klemtoon (secondary stress) and in engineering as secundaire wikkeling (secondary winding) of a transformer. Across fields, secundaire conveys the idea of a secondary, supporting, or accompanying role to a primary element.