conflagration

noun

con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən 

1

: fire

especially : a large disastrous fire

The conflagration destroyed the warehouses.

2

: conflict, war

The conflagration between the two countries lasted for ten years.

Synonyms

• inferno
• fire

Examples of conflagration in a Sentence

The treaty is the latest attempt to resolve the ten-year conflagration.

the historic tavern burned to the ground in a horrible conflagration

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike fires in wilderness areas, which mostly consume vegetation, this breed of urban conflagration sucks up buildings, cars and their contents, spitting hazards well beyond the burn area. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025

King commanding the stage with inventive conflagrations, fleet unison fingerwork by Collier and Philion, Rogers-Kaufman offering solos both cerebral and thrilling, and Damien winging through long features with the agility of a sparrow. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025

Then light the needles in several places, starting at the base, and fan the flames into a conflagration. —Peter Barrett, Outside, 30 Aug. 2025

Reporters had been reaching out to them about stories that would connect Ohtani’s name to what was still a private predicament — kerosene on what was already a fast-spreading conflagration. —David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin conflagration-, conflagratio, from conflagrare — see conflagrant

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for conflagration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

conflagration

noun

con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən 

: a large disastrous fire