gunfire

noun

gun·​fire ˈgən-ˌfī(-ə)r 

: the firing of guns

Examples of gunfire in a Sentence

We heard gunfire in the distance.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 50-year-old woman was driving an SUV in the 4500 block of South Wood Street in the New City neighborhood when she was struck by gunfire just after midnight, according to Chicago police. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

During a Tuesday night press briefing, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman stated that the officer and Smith exchanged gunfire near North 38th and West Wright streets − a claim the family is disputing after reviewing body camera footage. — April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026

The South Allegheny School District is using $50,000 in grant money to help increase safety measures after gunfire rang out near the school's varsity football game last month. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

The first shooting occurred early Sunday near Denny Way and Clay Street, where a fight following a street takeover escalated into gunfire, killing a 20-year-old man and injuring two others, FOX 13 Seattle reported. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gunfire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar

Kids Definition

gunfire

noun

gun·​fire -ˌfī(ə)r 

: the firing of guns