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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The young girl suffered second and third-degree burns on her back, arms and legs. — Doha Madani, NBC News, 17 July 2023 People got third-degree burns from sustained contact with pavement. — Geraldo Cadava, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2023 Trying to help his grandmother, David’s teenage son also sustained third-degree burns. — Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 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 See All Example Sentences for third-degree burn

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for third-degree burn

See All Rhymes for third-degree burn

Browse Nearby Words

third-degree
third-degree burn
third dimension
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Third-degree burn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third-degree%20burn. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on third-degree burn

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about third-degree burn

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