US
: the level of a crime that is the most serious and warranting the most severe punishment
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
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
Shamika Wedlow faces counts of first degree involuntary manslaughter, second degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident.
—
Alexa Newsom,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
Ashley Mowreader,
NBC news,
4 July 2026
He has been charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm.
—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for first degree
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Noun
Jaydakis Kashaune Hamilton, 25, of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, is now facing a first degree murder charge.
—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2026
Shamika Wedlow faces counts of first degree involuntary manslaughter, second degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident.
—
Alexa Newsom,
Kansas City Star,
1 July 2026
Adjective
The daredevil couple, who scaled the building dressed in dark outfits and masks, were each charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and an additional charge related to the incident.
—
Ashley Mowreader,
NBC news,
4 July 2026
He has been charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm.
—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for first degree
Cite this Entry
“First degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/first%20degree. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
first-degree
adjective
: 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
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