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

He was charged with murder, a first degree felony. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026

Jellue was living with her long-time partner, Johnson Chayee Browne, 32, who was charged with first degree murder in connection to her death. —Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026

Adjective

He was charged with first-degree murder but denied any involvement. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026

That same month, he was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for four counts of first-degree murder and 10 years in prison for a burglary charge. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 10 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