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

For his role in the crime, the 21-year-old is being charged with one count of first degree murder, two counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and auto theft. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Brandon Braxton, 33, was arrested and charged with first degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon on Thursday, March 20, according to Mecklenburg County jail records. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Nearly two years after her initial sentencing in Idaho, Lori is now preparing for her trial in Arizona after being charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 2019 death of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025

The 27-year-old was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide and sentenced to life in prison in 2023 after she was accused of killing her boyfriend, 24-year-old Shad Thyrion. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 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