third degree

1 of 2

noun

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

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 the

My mother put me through the third degree. Questions—questions—questions. She's driving me nuts!

—Judy Blume

Should 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

2

US : the level of a crime that is less than second degree and warrants less severe punishment

third-degree

2 of 2

adjective

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 Web

Noun

From His March Arrest to Assault Trial In a split verdict, Majors was found guilty of two charges: misdemeanor assault in the third degree, recklessly causing physical injury as well as harassment in the second degree, which is a violation. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025

He was found not guilty of intentional assault in the third degree and not guilty of aggravated harassment in the second degree. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Brandy Lynn Bristol and Jeremy James Bristol were each charged with 12 counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals, a third-degree felony, police said. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2025

Waiters was taken to the Hartford Police detention facility, where she was charged with third-degree criminal trespass, second-degree beach of peace, interfering with police and assault on a public safety officer, Boisvert said. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1865, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1893, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for third degree

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

third degree

noun

: brutal treatment of a prisoner by the police in order to get a confession

Medical 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

Legal Definition

third degree

noun

: the grade given to the third most serious forms of crimes

third-degree adjective