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

After being charged with first degree murder in 1999, Jackson was advised to plead guilty and given a 30-year sentence. —Liz McNeil, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024

English has since been charged with kidnapping of a minor and rape to the first degree, according to court documents. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 6 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Abdallah was charged with disorderly conduct, first-degree threatening and interfering with an officer/resisting. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Dec. 2024

Burden is charged with first-degree murder, discharge firearm within enclosure to incite fear, and going armed to the terror of the people, the department said. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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