first-degree

[ furst-di-gree ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the lowest or first in a series.
2. of or relating to the highest or most serious in a series.

Example Sentences

In July, an Orange County jury convicted Woodward of first-degree murder and found he was motivated by hate when he inflicted 28 stab wounds on Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student who was Jewish and gay.

From Los Angeles Times

They include two felony counts of murder, one felony count of kidnapping, two felony counts of arson of property, and two felony counts of first-degree burglary.

From Los Angeles Times

The controversial legislation, proposed by a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, applies to first-degree relatives, meaning the parents, siblings or children of those found guilty of committing or supporting terrorism.

From BBC

Baker pleaded no contest in July 2023 to one count each of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

From Los Angeles Times

In the state trial, a San Francisco jury found DePape guilty of kidnapping, first-degree burglary and false imprisonment of an elder.

From BBC