brushfire

1 of 2

adjective

brush·​fire ˈbrəsh-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce brushfire (audio)
: involving mobilization only on a small and local scale
brushfire border wars

brush fire

2 of 2

noun

1
: a fire involving low-growing plants (such as scrub and brush)
2
: a minor conflict or crisis
putting out political brush fires

Examples of brushfire 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.
Noun
Idaho shooting The two firefighters who were fatally shot on Sunday while responding to a brush fire in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, have been identified. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 1 July 2025 The man suspected of fatally shooting two firefighters and wounding a third after luring them to a brush fire in northern Idaho on Sunday was identified by authorities as Wess Roley, 20. David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025 Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said that firefighters were responding to a 911 call about a brush fire on Canfield Mountain when a gunman opened fire on them. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025 Due to the danger, fire crews had to retreat, and the brush fire continued to pose a threat. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for brushfire

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1954, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brushfire was in 1850

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Cite this Entry

“Brushfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brushfire. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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