firing

noun

fir·​ing ˈfī-riŋ 

ˈfī-ər-iŋ

1

: the act or process of one that fires

2

: the process of maturing ceramic products by the application of heat

Synonyms

• blasting
• bombardment
• barrage
• shot
• discharge
• volley

Examples of firing in a Sentence

found a flaw in the gun's firing

Recent Examples on the Web

Amid intensifying scrutiny over deteriorating employment figures, President Trump on Aug. 1 ordered the firing of Erika McEntarfer, the commissioner of the BLS. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025

This is why the enemies of cancel culture cannot help but compare the firing of Hollywood directors to witch hunts. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025

Trump’s decision to order the immediate firing of the head of the government agency that produces the monthly jobs figures raised concern over whether there might be interference in future data. —Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

Key events included new tariffs on imports, the deployment of nuclear submarines, a visit by a U.S. envoy to Gaza, and the firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing firing

• firing line
• firing pin
• firing squad
• in the firing line
• on the firing line

Rhymes for firing

• hiring
• quiring
• tiring
• wiring
• acquiring
• admiring
• aspiring
• conspiring
• enquiring
• expiring
• inspiring
• perspiring