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 of conflagration

• 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

Even if October passes without another conflagration, November brings its own hazards. — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

The spiraling conflict is now the most volatile front in the regional conflagration set off when the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February. — Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

The third member of our traffic team, Stephen Boissy, also saw this conflagration on his way into the station. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026

The Orange County conflagration was the latest incident in a hectic 24 hours for fire crews in Southern California. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin conflagrātiōn-, conflagrātiō, from conflagrāre "to be destroyed by fire, be burnt down" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at 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