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

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Fred Guy Monaco of North Little Rock, was arrested on charges of first degree forgery, financial fraud, nonfinancial fraud and obstruction of government operations. — Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026

Now jurors will be given a stark choice — agree with prosecutors and convict Lopez of first degree murder, likely sending him to prison for 50 years to life. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Walsh, 40, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder on Friday, police announced. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026

Bossell is charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle in connection with the death of 29-year-old Graham Hoffman. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 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