firefighter

noun

fire·​fight·​er ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌfī-tər How to pronounce firefighter (audio)
: a person who fights fires : fireman sense 2
firefighting noun

Examples of firefighter in a Sentence

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.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella and French President Emmanuel Macron joined Swiss leaders, victims' families and firefighters at a ceremony on Friday in the town of Martigny, where a minute's silence was held to remember the victims. Reuters, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026 Robert Villa has spent 25 years as a Southern California firefighter and now works with homeowners who want to reduce their risks. Juan Fernandez, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026 Over 80 firefighters responded to the call, and the rescue operation took three hours. Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026 As a precaution, Evans said, the firefighter was taken to a hospital for evaluation but had nonlife-threatening injuries. Timia Cobb breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for firefighter

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of firefighter was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Firefighter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firefighter. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

firefighter

noun
: a member of a company organized to fight fires
firefighting noun

More from Merriam-Webster on firefighter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!