second city
/ˌsɛk(ə)nd ˈsɪti/noun
The second largest city in a particular country or region; (also) a city which is often regarded as the second most important in a country or region.
- Usually with in or of, except when second city (frequently with the and with capital initials in this context) has become something of a fixed name for a particular city within a given country, as, for example, Chicago (in the United States), Birmingham (in England), or Glasgow (in Scotland)..
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Reynolds. From second + city.