Third Degree Meaning & Sentence Examples

Third Degree Definition, Sentence Examples

THIRD DEGREE MEANING – Find out what third degree really means. Example sentences of this idiomatic expression can also be found here.

Police officers used the phrase “third degree” in the late 19th century to describe their forceful interrogation techniques employed during criminal investigations. These techniques included protracted interrogation, psychological coercion, and the use of coercive measures like physical threats or punishment to force confessions from detainees.

The goal was to weaken the suspect’s mental barriers and encourage information disclosure. Just to be clear, the term “third-degree” usually refers to the seriousness of a crime or harm, such as third-degree burns or third-degree murder, but it is not relevant in this context.

Third Degree Meaning:

a torture-filled interrogation used regularly to elicit a confession or the truth.
the process of gathering information through harsh questions and treatment.
a protracted, rigorous phase of questioning.
The most severe of the three types of burns are third-degree burns. They are extremely severe and permanently harm the tissue beneath the skin.