dogfight

noun

dog·​fight ˈdȯg-ˌfīt How to pronounce dogfight (audio)
1
: a fight between dogs
broadly : a fiercely disputed contest
2
: a fight between two or more fighter planes usually at close quarters
dogfight intransitive verb
dogfighter noun

Examples of dogfight in a Sentence

He was shot down in a dogfight over enemy territory. The election has turned into a real dogfight.
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.
The next two months of baseball will show whether or not the Cubs roster Hoyer has built is enough to stand up to a dogfight with the Brewers for the National League Central title. Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 But the immersive video chops are aimed at setting Antigravity's releases far apart from the other players, so a one-on-one dogfight may not be possible. Paul Ridden july 28, New Atlas, 28 July 2025 Barring injury, that's probably not changing this year, especially given that the Phillies are in a dogfight in both the NL East and the National League wildcard hunt. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 Nolan’s choice to use practical effects, IMAX cameras and a ticking Hans Zimmer score makes every aerial dogfight and drifting life raft feel breathlessly immediate, resulting in an experiential masterpiece. Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dogfight

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dogfight was circa 1656

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogfight. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

dogfight

noun
dog·​fight -ˌfīt How to pronounce dogfight (audio)
: a fight at close range between fighter planes
dogfight verb
dogfighter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dogfight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!