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

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

Harbison faces charges of third degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first degree wanton endangerment. —Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Jan. 2026

Adjective

That warrant followed a separate September 2023 arrest on state charges, including assault on public safety personnel, third-degree assault, breach of peace, interfering with an officer and first-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, as noted in the release. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The warrant came after he was arrested about a month earlier on state charges of assault on a public safety officer, third-degree assault, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with an officer and first-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, authorities said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 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