firefight

noun

fire·​fight ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌfīt How to pronounce firefight (audio)
1
a
: a usually brief intense exchange of fire between opposing military units
b
: a hostile confrontation that involves gunfire
2

Example Sentences

a firefight between police and bank robbers
Recent Examples on the Web With the launch of AP African American studies, though, the College Board has stepped into a political firefight of rare magnitude. Nick Anderson, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2023 The intense firefight over Ukraine has the Pentagon rethinking its weapons stockpiles. Tara Copp, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2022 The intense firefight over Ukraine has the Pentagon rethinking its weapons stockpiles. Time, 24 Nov. 2022 The fact that the real Santa ( Edmund Gwenn) is in the middle of this cash-crazy firefight puts everything in the right perspective. Los Angeles Times, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Dec. 2022 The fact that the real Santa (Edmund Gwenn) is in the middle of this cash-crazy firefight puts everything in the right perspective. Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2022 At the height of the firefight, nearly 400 firefighters, aided by 14 aircraft, worked to gain control of the flames, according to Cal Fire officials. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 In the streets of the neighborhood, a firefight was picking up, and the clatter of machine guns echoed about. Andrew E. Kramer Nicole Tung, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2023 An army operation in Pakistan’s northwest targeting militants triggered a firefight that left a soldier and four fighters dead, the army’s media wing said Sunday. BostonGlobe.com, 1 Jan. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of firefight was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near firefight

Cite this Entry

“Firefight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firefight. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

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