fire blight

noun

: a destructive infectious disease especially of apples, pears, and related fruits caused by a bacterium (Erwinia amylovora)

Examples of fire blight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Apples are susceptible to several serious diseases, including apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fire blight and powdery mildew. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

Pruning stimulates vigorous growth which will be more susceptible to the fatal fire blight. Annuals and perennials ▪ Selectively removing only obviously diseased portions of roses infected with rose rosette virus. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2025

While fire blight can affect some species of pear trees, these plants are relatively disease-proof and have a good deal of cold tolerance. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025

The most common disease of mountain ash is fire blight. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fire blight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite