firefight

noun

fire·​fight ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌfīt 

1

a

: a usually brief intense exchange of fire between opposing military units

b

: a hostile confrontation that involves gunfire

2

: skirmish sense 2b

Examples of firefight in a Sentence

a firefight between police and bank robbers

Recent Examples on the Web

He was tracked down in the town of Jesús María, a bastion of Los Chapitos on the outskirts of Culiacán, where another of El Chapo’s sons, Ovidio Guzmán López, was arrested after a firefight in 2023. — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Over the four days the patrol lasted, Broadminded got into several firefights. — Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

In 2004, Weaver's platoon was caught in a firefight in an Afghan village. — Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026

Another good Samaritan, also unnamed, was wounded in the firefight while helping the off-duty trooper. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for firefight

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