firebreak

noun

fire·​break ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbrāk How to pronounce firebreak (audio)
: a barrier of cleared or plowed land intended to check a forest or grass fire

Examples of firebreak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Much of the fire infrastructure that exists today was built during the New Deal, including fire lookouts and thousands of miles of firebreaks, many of which have been ill-maintained due to continued lack of funding. River Selby august 25, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025 The 35-year-old man had been attempting to create firebreaks near the town of Nogarejas, in the central Castile and Leon region, when he was trapped in the blaze, regional officials said. USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025 To Dunn, protecting homes seemed within reach because the state had maintained agricultural buffers around cities, helping to serve as firebreaks. Rob Davis, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025 While Ramsey was learning the delicate art of building firebreaks, a large fire broke out just outside the town. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for firebreak

Word History

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of firebreak was in 1827

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Cite this Entry

“Firebreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firebreak. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

firebreak

noun
fire·​break -ˌbrāk How to pronounce firebreak (audio)
: a barrier of cleared or plowed land intended to stop the spread of a forest or grass fire

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