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A dominant chord (major triad or dominant seventh) that resolves to a chord other than the tonic. Notated V/x (e.g., V/V, V/ii).
Secondary dominants add chromatic color to diatonic progressions. V/V is the most common (adds a raised fourth scale degree). V/vi, V/IV, and V/ii are also frequent. Any diatonic chord except the diminished triad can be tonicized with a secondary dominant.
Bach's chorales are rich with secondary dominants — nearly every cadence is preceded by V/V, intensifying the harmonic motion.
Secondary dominant is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
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