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.
What is clear, however, is that Google’s latest Samsung-busting trade-in deal, and Apple’s brief trade-in promotion, shows that major smartphone manufacturers are in a discount dogfight. Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 The Battle of Endor and death of Vader As the Imperial Fleet and the Rebellion dogfight in space, and Han, Leia, and Chewie battle Empire forces on the ground, Luke and Vader duel on Death Star II. Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025 Four days of fighting was marked by an extensive air battle, one of the largest dogfights since World War II, before the two nuclear rivals reached a ceasefire agreement following U.S. diplomatic efforts. Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 Pakistan, which said the planes had bombed an empty hillside and not a camp, launched a retaliatory incursion into Indian airspace that led to a dogfight between the two air forces, leading to the capture of an Indian pilot. Asif Shahzad, USA Today, 7 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogfight. Accessed 9 Jul. 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

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