third-degree burn

noun

: a severe burn characterized by destruction of the skin through its deeper layers and possibly into underlying tissues, loss of fluid, and sometimes shock

Examples of third-degree burn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Trying to help his grandmother, David’s teenage son also sustained third-degree burns. Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023 People got third-degree burns from sustained contact with pavement. Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2023 Heintz was rushed by UCAN to University of Chicago for treatment of second- and third-degree burns on his body, and the case was turned over to the Indiana State Fire Marshal, who found that gas pipes had been cut, records said. Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2023 David Villela, center, spent weeks at the UMC Lions Burn Care Center after suffering a third-degree burn on his left foot. Sarah Toy, WSJ, 26 July 2023 The victim suffered fractured ribs, a fractured nose and cheekbone, strangulation marks, rectal injury and third-degree burns across her body, face and genitals, according to Lee and court documents. John H. Tucker, cleveland, 2 Aug. 2023 The young girl suffered second and third-degree burns on her back, arms and legs. Doha Madani, NBC News, 17 July 2023 Authorities said the man suffered third-degree burns and died a few hours later at a local hospital. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2023 This past July was the world’s hottest month in recorded history; off the coast of Florida, ocean temperatures hit triple digits, while in Arizona, the asphalt caused third-degree burns. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'third-degree burn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of third-degree burn was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near third-degree burn

Cite this Entry

“Third-degree burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third-degree%20burn. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

third-degree burn

noun
: a burn in which the whole thickness of the skin and sometimes underlying tissues are destroyed with loss of fluid and often shock

Medical Definition

third-degree burn

noun
third-de·​gree burn ˈthərd-di-ˌgrē-ˈ How to pronounce third-degree burn (audio)
: a severe burn characterized by destruction of the skin through the depth of the dermis and possibly into underlying tissues, loss of fluid, and sometimes shock

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