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 boy’s father, Jehaaz-Akil Khaliq Echoles, 31, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in the case, police said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026

According to court records, Johnson’s prior felony convictions are for second degree burglary in 2014 and 2020 and first degree residential burglary in 2007. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

Adjective

Shaw was arraigned July 2 on two counts of first-degree murder with bond set at $2 million. — Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 11 July 2026

Federal officials said Gonzalez-Garcia, under the name Belin Gonzalez, was convicted in Superior Court in Connecticut on one count of first-degree assault and sentenced in October 2009 to seven years in prison and three years of probation. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 9 July 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