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
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 theAbigail Van BurenMy mother put me through the third degree. Questions—questions—questions. She's driving me nuts!—Judy Blume
Judy BlumeShould 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
Jeff Foxworthy2
US
: the level of a crime that is less than second degree and warrants less severe punishment
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
Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
Sources said the firefighter suffered extensive burns all over his body, including second and third degree.
—Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
In Louisiana, a guilty first-degree rape charge carries a life imprisonment, while third-degree rape carries a maximum of 25 years in jail.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for third degree
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Noun
Additionally, Miller suffered third degree burns to his legs that required skin grafts and left permanent scars.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Mar. 2026
Sources said the firefighter suffered extensive burns all over his body, including second and third degree.
—Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Miller’s injuries, according to the lawsuit, included burns to his airways and lungs from smoke inside the burning truck, and third-degree burns to his left leg and hand, as well as damage to his intestines and broken vertebrae.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
In Louisiana, a guilty first-degree rape charge carries a life imprisonment, while third-degree rape carries a maximum of 25 years in jail.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for third degree
Cite this Entry
“Third degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20degree. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
Emergency Medicine ReportsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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