wildfire
noun
wild·fire
ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfī(-ə)r 
1
: a sweeping and destructive conflagration especially in a wilderness or a rural area
2
3
: a phosphorescent glow (such as ignis fatuus or fox fire)
4
: a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)
Examples of wildfire in a Sentence
The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thousands of people have evacuated their homes across parts of the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where officials have declared a state of emergency and crews are working to contain dozens of out-of-control wildfires.
—
Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Meanwhile, westerly winds will help push smoke from the Canadian wildfires east of the Kansas City area as well.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2025
The legislation wouldn’t have much of an effect on rebuilding after L.A.’s wildfires, as single-family home construction is exempt and Newsom already waived other parts of the law by executive order.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
The removal of fire debris is months ahead of schedule
LA is approaching the five-month mark since January's wildfires killed 30 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, many of them homes.
—Kirk Siegler, NPR, 2 June 2025
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Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Meanwhile, westerly winds will help push smoke from the Canadian wildfires east of the Kansas City area as well.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2025
The legislation wouldn’t have much of an effect on rebuilding after L.A.’s wildfires, as single-family home construction is exempt and Newsom already waived other parts of the law by executive order.
—Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
The removal of fire debris is months ahead of schedule
LA is approaching the five-month mark since January's wildfires killed 30 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, many of them homes.
—Kirk Siegler, NPR, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
Cite this Entry
“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wildfire
noun
wild·fire
ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r
: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area
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