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 a trial that attracted international attention, the jury convicted him of first degree murder and sentenced him to death, convinced that Peterson would rather kill his wife than leave her while having an affair with a Fresno massage therapist. —Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 15 July 2024

The 16-year-old suspect is charged with first degree murder, and additional charges are expected. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 13 July 2024

Adjective

On Wednesday, he was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping for oral copulation and forced oral copulation, prosecutors said. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2024

Sanders had previously been released from prison in March 2022 after serving a 10-year stint for first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery, court records show. —Adam Taylor, Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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