Definition of fire
1a (1) : the phenomenon of combustion manifested in light, flame, and heat (2) : one of the four elements of the alchemists air, water, fire, and earthb (1) : burning passion : ardor young lovers with their hearts full of fire (2) : liveliness of imagination : inspiration the force and fire of his oratory
2a : fuel in a state of combustion (as on a hearth) warmed his hands at the crackling fireb British : a small gas or electric space heater
3a : a destructive burning (as of a building) The shack was destroyed by a fire.b (1) : death or torture by fire He confessed under threat of the fire. (2) : severe trial or ordeal He had proved himself in the fire of battle.
4 : brilliancy, luminosity the fire of a gem
5a : the firing of weapons (such as firearms, artillery, or missiles) The troops endured heavy fire.b : intense verbal attack or criticism His controversial assertions have provoked heavy fire from those taking offense.c : a rapidly delivered series (as of remarks)
on fire
under fire
1 : exposed to fire from an enemy's weapons The soldier showed courage under fire.
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of fire in a Sentence
Stay away from the fire.
The shack was destroyed by a fire.
Two people died in that terrible fire.
How did the fire start?
We warmed our hands over the fire.
She built a fire in the fireplace.
The fire went out and he had to light it again.
Recent Examples of fire from the Web
-
Although standard derby cars, they will be decorated as the familiar black and white police cars and red fire engines.
-
Rouhani came under fire from Alinejad and other activists when, in 2014, Mirzakhani’s image was Photoshopped in Iranian newspapers.
-
In Tallapoosa, the referendum concerns the levying of a fire protection fee for citizens living in the Union Volunteer Fire and Rescue District.
-
For example, early humans saw that fire does something.
-
With Kushner under fire for his own meetings with Russia, that leaves plenty for Gorelick’s successor, Abbe D. Lowell, to take on.
-
ICY JULY VF.com’s Joanna Robinson e-mails: The sticky L.A. weather brought the fire to Wednesday night’s Game of Thrones Season 7 premiere at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, but the event itself was all about ice.
-
On chilly summer nights, everybody gathers around the fire to catch up, toast marshmallows and stargaze.
-
The brand has come under fire this week for featuring size 1X and 2X garments on straight-size models on their online shopping pages.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fire
Middle English, from Old English fȳr; akin to Old High German fiur fire, Greek pyr
fire
Definition of fire
fired
;firing
transitive verb
1a : to set on fire : kindle; also : ignite fire a rocket engineb (1) : to give life or spirit to : inspire the description fired his imagination (2) : to fill with passion or enthusiasm —often used with upc : to light up as if by fired : to cause to start operating —usually used with up fired up the engine
2a : to drive out or away by or as if by fireb : to dismiss from a position
3a (1) : to cause to explode : detonate (2) : to propel from or as if from a gun : discharge, launch fire a rocket (3) : shoot 1b fire a gun (4) : to score (a number) in a game or contestb : to throw with speed or force fired the ball to first base fire a left jabc : to utter with force and rapidity
4 : to apply fire or fuel to: such asa : to process by applying heat fire potteryb : to feed or serve the fire of fire a boiler
intransitive verb
1a : to take fire : kindle, igniteb : to begin operation : start the engine firedc : to operate especially as the result of the application of an electrical impulse the spark plug fires
2a : to become irritated or angry —often used with upb : to become filled with excitement or enthusiasm
3a : to discharge a firearm fire at close rangeb : to emit or let fly an object
4 : to tend a fire
firer
nounExamples of fire in a Sentence
She fired the arrow at the target.
He fired several shots at the police.
He fired at the police.
The gun failed to fire.
The soldiers fired on the enemy.
The shortstop fired the ball to first base.
The angry mob fired rocks at him.
The boxer fired a left jab at his opponent's chin.
The story fired his imagination.
She had to fire several workers.
Recent Examples of fire from the Web
-
John Collins, who was fired in July 2016 following allegations of collecting more than $345,000 in unauthorized and over-payments from the district.
-
Rose said each shell has a distinctive marking from the gun it was fired from, much like a fingerprint.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fire
see 1fire
FIRE
Definition of FIRE
finance, insurance, and real estate
Other Business Terms
FIRE Defined for English Language Learners
fire
playDefinition of fire for English Language Learners
-
: the light and heat and especially the flame produced by burning
-
: an occurrence in which something burns : the destruction of something (such as a building or a forest) by fire
-
: a controlled occurrence of fire created by burning something (such as wood or gas) in a special area (such as in a fireplace or stove)
fire
Definition of fire for English Language Learners
-
: to shoot a weapon
-
: to throw (something) with speed and force
-
: to give life or energy to (something or someone)
FIRE Defined for Kids
Definition of fire for Students
1 : the light and heat and especially the flame produced by burning
2 : fuel that is burning in a controlled setting (as in a fireplace)
3 : the destructive burning of something (as a building)
4 : the shooting of weapons rifle fire
5 : enthusiasm
on fire
: actively burning
under fire
1 : exposed to the firing of enemy guns
2 : under attack
Definition of fire for Students
fired
;firing
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of fire
: fever or inflammation especially from a disease
fire
Medical Definition of fire
fired
;firing
1
transitive verb
: to cause to transmit a nerve impulse2: to sear (the leg of a horse) with a hot iron in order to convert a crippling chronic inflammation into an acute inflammation that will stimulate the natural healing responses of the body
intransitive verb
: to transmit a nerve impulse the rate at which a neuron fires
Learn More about fire
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fire Spanish Central: Translation of fire Nglish: Translation of fire for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fire for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fire
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up fire? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!