1 [count] : a unit for measuring temperature
▪ Bake the bread at 350 degrees (Fahrenheit) for 35 minutes. ▪ 20 degrees Fahrenheit/Celsius [=20° F/C] — abbr. deg. 2 [count] : a unit for measuring the size of an angle
▪ There are 360 degrees in a circle. ▪ 47 degrees latitude/longitude ▪ a 15 degree angle [=a 15° angle] — abbr. deg. 3 : an amount or level that can be measured or compared to another amount or level [noncount] ▪ These trees will thrive, to a greater or lesser degree, in a number of climates. ▪ To what degree [=how much] is she interested in finance? ▪ We don't yet know the degree to which [=how much] the roof is damaged. [count] — usually + of ▪ a high degree of difficulty/skill ▪ They have had varying degrees of success. ▪ We can now predict the weather with a greater degree of accuracy. [=with more accuracy] 4 [noncount] : a measure of how severe or serious something is
▪ He was accused of murder in the first degree. = He was accused of first-degree murder. [=the most serious kind of murder] ▪ a second-degree burn — see also first-degree, second-degree, third-degree 5 [count] : an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university
▪ She has a degree in engineering. ▪ a four-year degree [=a degree that is given to someone who has completed four years of study] ▪ a bachelor's/master's degree ▪ She received an honorary degree. [=a degree given by a college or university to someone who is not a student but who has done something important]