first degree

1 of 2

noun

US : the level of a crime that is the most serious and warranting the most severe punishment

first-degree

2 of 2

adjective

first-de·​gree ˈfərst-di-ˈgrē 

1

US : of the most serious type : warranting the harshest punishment

first-degree murder/theft/arson

2

: of the least harmful or mildest type

first-degree frostbite

see also first-degree burn

Examples of first degree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An arrest warrant charges him with first degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, court records show. —Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026

Leahy, 31, was charged with murder in the first degree with a deadly weapon enhancement on Monday, May 18, the prosecuting attorney's office tells PEOPLE. —Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

Adjective

Pietura pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide and was sentenced to life in prison in 2024, according to FOX 6. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026

Some offenders already are barred, including those convicted of first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer. —Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for first degree

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Medical Definition

first-degree

adjective

ˈfərst-di-ˈgrē 

: of the lowest or mildest in a series of categories : characterized by or causing the least harmful level of injury

a first-degree laceration

see also first-degree burn compare second-degree, third-degree

Legal Definition

first degree

noun

: the grade given to the most serious forms of crimes

burglary in the first degree

first-degree adjective