1. second to last; next to the last

1. the second to last item in a series

Examples

• The penultimate chapter of the book was the most exciting.
• She finished in penultimate position in the race.
• The penultimate day of vacation was spent at the beach.
• In the word ‘banana,’ the stress falls on the penultimate syllable.
• The penultimate item on the agenda was budget approval.
• He scored a goal in the penultimate minute of the game.