fired

adjective \ ˈfī(-ə)rd \

|Updated on: 23 Jul 2018

Definition of fired

1 : using a specified fuel —usually used in combination

an oil-fired power plant

a wood-fired pizza oven

2 : having been processed by heating in a kiln

fired and handpainted stoneware

The body is more like cement than clay, but useful in achieving the surfaces I seek, and the fired clay is remarkably lightweight and strong.
—Ceramics Monthly

3 : dismissed from a job

You're fired!

They said Metro has failed to provide the fired employees and the union with a detailed explanation of the allegations.
—Fredrick Kunkle

See fired defined for kids

Recent Examples of fired from the Web

Given the severe financial ramifications of a just cause firing and the near certainty that the fired coach will then sue the university for breach of contract, the just cause distinction is seldom used by universities.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Breaking Down Kevin Ollie's Case Against UConn and the University's Likely Defenses," 29 June 2018
Using evidence gathered by Franklin's crew, McGlathery got a warrant for the fired warden's arrest.

— ashley remkus, AL.com, "Morgan sheriff and deputies acted criminally in probe of blogger and warden, judge says," 27 Apr. 2018
Some have been quick to cut ties, including the University at Buffalo, which revoked an honorary degree from disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein, and Fordham University, which pulled an honor from fired news anchor Charlie Rose.

— CBS News, "Temple University rescinds Bill Cosby's honorary degree," 27 Apr. 2018
Blagojevich's prosecutor was US Attorney Patrick Fizgerald, now a member of the legal team for fired FBI Director James Comey, whom Trump frequently bashes.

— manu raju and ashley killough, CNN, "Illinois GOP warns Trump: 'Stupid' to free Blagojevich," 8 June 2018
Howard, who took over the movie from fired filmmakers Chris Miller and Phil Lord mid-production, is most successful in creating a bunch of great character relationships that fuel Solo’s best scenes.

— brian truitt, USA TODAY, "Review: 'Solo' gambles (and wins) by not being just another 'Star Wars' movie," 15 May 2018
As a hearing concluded Tuesday, Judge Samantha Schosberg Feuer told lawyers to submit written closing arguments within a week in the case of fired Palm Beach Gardens police officer Nouman Raja.

— Washington Post, "Judge to rule within month on officer’s shooting of motorist," 8 May 2018
Investigators reported finding six fired bullet casings from one handgun and three from another about 250 feet west of the store's entrance.

— adam ferrise, cleveland.com, "Sleeping 10-year-old shot in the face in drive-by at Cleveland home," 3 May 2018
With the shot clock on, Reeves ran out from behind the net and fired top shelf at 12:36.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Regional Digest: Sun Open Exhibition Play Monday," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fired.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.