fighter

noun

fight·​er ˈfī-tər How to pronounce fighter (audio)
: one that fights: such as
a(1)
(2)
: a pugnacious or game individual
b
: an airplane of high speed and maneuverability with armament designed to destroy enemy aircraft

Examples of fighter in a Sentence

the debate whether more fighters are needed to bring order to that war-torn country a program at the community center for training local youths as fighters
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.
Israeli fighter jets have bombed western areas of Gaza City, striking at least one house in al-Shati camp and an armored vehicle laden with explosives near homes south of Gaza City – according to the outlet. James Powel, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025 The intimate focus extends to the characters around Kerr, many of whom are played by real-life MMA fighters such as Ryan Bader and Satoshi Ishii, and the boxer Oleksandr Usyk. David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025 Furthermore, under Assad’s government, Syria served as a land bridge between Iran and Lebanon through which Hezbollah fighters transported their military equipment, money and drugs. Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025 China processes around 90% of the world's rare earths, which are critical inputs in everything from smartphones to advanced fighter jets. John Ruwitch, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fighter

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fighter was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Fighter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fighter. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

fighter

noun
fight·​er ˈfīt-ər How to pronounce fighter (audio)
: one that fights:
c
: a fast airplane armed with weapons for destroying enemy aircraft

More from Merriam-Webster on fighter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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