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 WebMitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in December 2023, stemming from a March 2023 altercation with his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in New York City.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The Star previously reported on Robinson in 2019 when he, then 52-years-old, was charged with third degree assault for allegedly body slamming a woman to the pavement and punching her at least 30 times during an alleged road rage incident.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The suit comes just three months after a New York jury found Majors guilty of one count of reckless assault in the third degree and a non-criminal charge of harassment as a violation, relating to a domestic dispute with Jabbari in March 2023.
—Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Then, in 2019, he was arrested on charges of grand larceny in the third degree and taken back to Rikers, reported the New York Post.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
He is charged with burglary in the third degree and unauthorized use of a vehicle, and was taken to juvenile detention, according to police.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024
Although Majors maintained his innocence and claimed Jabbari was the aggressor that night, a jury found Majors guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024
Martin was arrested in 2014 on charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft in the third degree and grand theft of a firearm, court records show.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024
Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Hannaford was charged with first-degree and second-degree arson, third-degree felony criminal mischief involving a synagogue or place of worship and third-degree felony possession of cocaine.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
The affidavit, filed April 4, says Jones faces charges of crimes against an at-risk adult or juvenile third-degree assault and crimes against an at-risk adult or juvenile.
—Pilar Arias, Fox News, 10 Apr. 2024
He was pinned in the back but managed to escape, though the pilot suffered fatal third-degree burns.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Board members or property managers who solicit or accept a kickback also face a third-degree felony.
—Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Racing on a Texas highway is considered a third-degree felony if the accident results in bodily injuries.
—David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024
He was charged Wednesday, April 3, with second- and third-degree assault, MPR News reported.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The woman was taken to St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco with second-degree and third-degree burns after the blaze, which happened just before 2 p.m. near 45th Avenue and Bond Street in East Oakland, according to Oakland Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Noun
Her husband is facing charges of murder in the first, second and third degrees, and was arraigned on April 11, officials say.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024
Majors was found guilty of one count of misdemeanor assault in the third degree and one count of harassment in December 2023, stemming from a March 2023 altercation with his then-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in New York City.
—Rivea Ruff, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024
The Star previously reported on Robinson in 2019 when he, then 52-years-old, was charged with third degree assault for allegedly body slamming a woman to the pavement and punching her at least 30 times during an alleged road rage incident.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The suit comes just three months after a New York jury found Majors guilty of one count of reckless assault in the third degree and a non-criminal charge of harassment as a violation, relating to a domestic dispute with Jabbari in March 2023.
—Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Then, in 2019, he was arrested on charges of grand larceny in the third degree and taken back to Rikers, reported the New York Post.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
He is charged with burglary in the third degree and unauthorized use of a vehicle, and was taken to juvenile detention, according to police.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2024
Although Majors maintained his innocence and claimed Jabbari was the aggressor that night, a jury found Majors guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024
Martin was arrested in 2014 on charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft in the third degree and grand theft of a firearm, court records show.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Mendoza pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime as part of a plea deal with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, according to WPVI-TV, NBC10 Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Hannaford was charged with first-degree and second-degree arson, third-degree felony criminal mischief involving a synagogue or place of worship and third-degree felony possession of cocaine.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
The affidavit, filed April 4, says Jones faces charges of crimes against an at-risk adult or juvenile third-degree assault and crimes against an at-risk adult or juvenile.
—Pilar Arias, Fox News, 10 Apr. 2024
He was pinned in the back but managed to escape, though the pilot suffered fatal third-degree burns.
—Clay Risen, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Board members or property managers who solicit or accept a kickback also face a third-degree felony.
—Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Racing on a Texas highway is considered a third-degree felony if the accident results in bodily injuries.
—David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024
He was charged Wednesday, April 3, with second- and third-degree assault, MPR News reported.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024
The woman was taken to St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco with second-degree and third-degree burns after the blaze, which happened just before 2 p.m. near 45th Avenue and Bond Street in East Oakland, according to Oakland Fire Department spokesman Michael Hunt.
—Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
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 24 Apr. 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
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