firefight

noun

fire·​fight ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌfīt 

1

a

: a usually brief intense exchange of fire between opposing military units

b

: a hostile confrontation that involves gunfire

2

: skirmish sense 2b

Examples of firefight in a Sentence

a firefight between police and bank robbers

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearby traffic on Hostetter Road was impacted during the firefight. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Ted Daniels, who, during a 2012 firefight in Afghanistan, moved into the open to draw enemy fire away from other soldiers in his unit. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2026

Josslyn was injured during Oliver’s first episode during a dramatic firefight involving multiple WSB agents. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026

Bass accused Crowley of leadership failures during the January 2025 windstorm that led to the deadly Palisades fire, and also accused her of refusing to prepare an after-action report on the firefight. — City News Service, Daily News, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for firefight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite