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

According to the probable cause statement filed in court and obtained by KSDK, FOX 2 and First Alert 4, 34-year-old Karl Mayberry was arrested on Wednesday, May 7, and charged with first-degree murder for the December 2021 shooting of his partner, 31-year-old Alvatyne Thomas. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 11 May 2025

Three men facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old in East Baltimore are being held without bond. —Jessica Babb, Baltimore Sun, 10 May 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