1
a
: the subjection of a prisoner to mental or physical torture to extract a confession
In its ruling the Court also criticized contemporary interrogation practices, finding in effect that a psychological third degree had replaced the physical third degree.—
Edwin Dobb
Edwin Dobb
b
: a long and intense period of questioning
I don't know what kind of first dates you are having, but it might benefit you to make them more casual … so a conversation won't become a third degree.—Abigail Van Buren
—usually used with theAbigail Van BurenMy mother put me through the third degree. Questions—questions—questions. She's driving me nuts!—Judy Blume
Judy BlumeShould anyone give you the third degree on your return to work, don't hesitate to become indignant and stomp out of the room.—Jeff Foxworthy
Jeff Foxworthy2
US
: the level of a crime that is less than second degree and warrants less severe punishment
third-de·gree
ˈthərd-di-ˈgrē 
1
US, of a crime
: of a level of seriousness that is less than second-degree : warranting punishment but less severe punishment than that for a second-degree crime
2
: causing or characterized by a severe level of injury
a third-degree concussion
see also third-degree burn
Examples of third degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebTommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 1 May 2024
Her husband is facing charges of murder in the first, second and third degrees, and was arraigned on April 11, officials say.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in December 2023, stemming from a March 2023 altercation with his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in New York City.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The Star previously reported on Robinson in 2019 when he, then 52-years-old, was charged with third degree assault for allegedly body slamming a woman to the pavement and punching her at least 30 times during an alleged road rage incident.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The suit comes just three months after a New York jury found Majors guilty of one count of reckless assault in the third degree and a non-criminal charge of harassment as a violation, relating to a domestic dispute with Jabbari in March 2023.
—Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Then, in 2019, he was arrested on charges of grand larceny in the third degree and taken back to Rikers, reported the New York Post.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
He is charged with burglary in the third degree and unauthorized use of a vehicle, and was taken to juvenile detention, according to police.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024
Although Majors maintained his innocence and claimed Jabbari was the aggressor that night, a jury found Majors guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024
Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 26 May 2024
Both were rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
Scheffler, 27, was arrested on charges of second-degree assault of a police officer -- a felony -- as well as third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic, according to police.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 23 May 2024
Scheffler was booked for second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 May 2024
Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and more call for action in wake of George Floyd's death
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in April 2021 and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 22 May 2024
In 2021, Chauvin was put on trial and convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 22 May 2024
Scheffler faces charges of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic, according to his arrest citation.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 21 May 2024
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer (a felony) along with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding an officer directing traffic.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 May 2024
Noun
At the conclusion of his December 2023 criminal trial, he was found guilty on misdemeanor assault in the third degree, recklessly causing physical injury as well as harassment in the second degree.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 1 May 2024
Her husband is facing charges of murder in the first, second and third degrees, and was arraigned on April 11, officials say.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in December 2023, stemming from a March 2023 altercation with his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in New York City.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The Star previously reported on Robinson in 2019 when he, then 52-years-old, was charged with third degree assault for allegedly body slamming a woman to the pavement and punching her at least 30 times during an alleged road rage incident.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The suit comes just three months after a New York jury found Majors guilty of one count of reckless assault in the third degree and a non-criminal charge of harassment as a violation, relating to a domestic dispute with Jabbari in March 2023.
—Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Then, in 2019, he was arrested on charges of grand larceny in the third degree and taken back to Rikers, reported the New York Post.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
He is charged with burglary in the third degree and unauthorized use of a vehicle, and was taken to juvenile detention, according to police.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024
Although Majors maintained his innocence and claimed Jabbari was the aggressor that night, a jury found Majors guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Scheffler was arrested on May 17 and charged with felony second-degree assault of a police officer, as well as three misdemeanors, including third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 26 May 2024
Both were rushed to the hospital with third-degree burns.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024
Scheffler, 27, was arrested on charges of second-degree assault of a police officer -- a felony -- as well as third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic, according to police.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 23 May 2024
Scheffler was booked for second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 23 May 2024
Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and more call for action in wake of George Floyd's death
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in April 2021 and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 22 May 2024
In 2021, Chauvin was put on trial and convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 22 May 2024
Scheffler faces charges of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic, according to his arrest citation.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 21 May 2024
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer (a felony) along with third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding an officer directing traffic.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'third degree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Third degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20degree. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
third-degree
adjective
: causing or characterized by a severe level of injury
Third-degree frostbite involves skin and deeper subcutaneous tissues, resulting in the formation of hemorrhagic blisters as well as skin necrosis with permanent nerve damage.—Emergency Medicine Reports
see also third-degree burn compare first-degree, second-degree
Emergency Medicine ReportsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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