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 is expected to face a range of criminal charges including first degree murder. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025

Dorr has been charged with first degree intentional homicide, mistreatment of an animal, possession of methamphetamine, obstructing an officer and resisting an officer, according to Green Bay police. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Last year he was convicted of first-degree murder while in prison. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025

The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 20 years in prison. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025

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