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

In addition to the murder charge, she is accused of assault with a firearm, first degree residential burglary and carrying a loaded firearm in public. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

King, charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action, has pleaded not guilty. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Treyvon Battle, 35, of New Haven, has been found guilty of murder, first-degree assault, criminal possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a permit, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026

Emmetson Zeah has been found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, retaliation, and weapons charges. —Dennis Valera, CBS News, 31 Jan. 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