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 WebSally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2024
Majors was convicted of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment — a misdemeanor and a violation — in December after an altercation with ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
—Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 June 2024
Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
But the teens chose to flee rather than pull over, a third-degree felony that justifies the chase under FHP’s previous policy, which had permitted chases in cases of reckless driving, DUIs, or felonies; fleeing a law enforcement officer is considered reckless driving.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for third degree 
Noun
The Boise Police Department said the 51-year-old was charged Monday morning with arson in the third degree — meaning the fire destroyed either personal property or forest land — relating to a grass fire that began Friday evening at the Polecat Gulch Trailhead near North Collister Drive.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2024
Majors was convicted of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment — a misdemeanor and a violation — in December after an altercation with ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
—Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 June 2024
Adjective
In December, a jury found Majors guilty of one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment in connection to a 2023 altercation with then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
But the teens chose to flee rather than pull over, a third-degree felony that justifies the chase under FHP’s previous policy, which had permitted chases in cases of reckless driving, DUIs, or felonies; fleeing a law enforcement officer is considered reckless driving.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for third degree
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'third degree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Third degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20degree. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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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