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

Examples of firefight in a Sentence

a firefight between police and bank robbers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After taking the unsuspecting gang members by surprise, police and task force members then engaged in a firefight, said the police source. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025 What scares me about Pico is his aggression and willingness to get into a firefight on the feet, and that is not the right approach in this fight. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025 However, Pakistani soldiers patrolling the area discover the team, leading to a firefight that kills three soldiers. Time, 13 Aug. 2025 Officers and firefights administered CPR to the boy, later identified as Trigg Kiser. Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for firefight

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of firefight was in 1899

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Cite this Entry

“Firefight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firefight. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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