plural fires
often attributive
1
a(1)
: the phenomenon of combustion manifested in light, flame, and heat
(2)
: one of the four elements of the alchemists
air, water, fire, and earth
b(1)
: burning passion : ardor
young lovers with their hearts full of fire
(2)
: liveliness of imagination : inspiration
the force and fire of his oratory
2
a
: fuel in a state of combustion (as on a hearth)
warmed his hands at the crackling fire
b
British
: a small gas or electric space heater
3
a
: a destructive burning (as of a building)
The shack was destroyed by a fire.
b(1)
: death or torture by fire
He confessed under threat of the fire.
(2)
: severe trial or ordeal
He had proved himself in the fire of battle.
4
: brilliancy, luminosity
the fire of a gem
5
a
: the firing of weapons (such as firearms, artillery, or missiles)
The troops were ordered to cease fire. [=stop shooting]
They opened fire on [=began shooting at] the enemy.
also
: the bullets, shells, etc., that are discharged
The soldiers endured heavy fire.
see also friendly fire compare counterfire
b
: intense verbal attack or criticism
His remarks have provoked heavy fire from his political opponents.
c
: a rapidly delivered series (as of remarks)
fired; firing
1
b(1)
: to give life or spirit to : inspire
the description fired his imagination
(2)
: to fill with passion or enthusiasm
—often used with up
c
: to light up as if by fire
d
: to cause to start operating
—usually used with up
fired up the engine
2
a
: to drive out or away by or as if by fire
b
: to dismiss from a position
3
a(1)
: to cause to explode : detonate
(3)
: shoot sense 1b
fire a gun
(4)
: to score (a number) in a game or contest
b
: to throw with speed or force
fired the ball to first base
fire a left jab
c
: to utter with force and rapidity
4
: to apply fire or fuel to: such as
a
: to process by applying heat
fire pottery
b
: to feed or serve the fire of
fire a boiler
1
2
a
: to become irritated or angry
—often used with up
b
: to become filled with excitement or enthusiasm
3
a
: to discharge a firearm
fire at close range
b
: to emit or let fly an object
4
: to tend a fire
5
: to transmit a nerve impulse
the rate at which a neuron fires
firer
noun
finance, insurance, and real estate
Phrases
on fire
1
: being consumed by fire : aflame
The house was on fire.
2
: performing exceedingly well
Of late, center Sami Kelleher and wing Abby Gendron have been on fire. The two have combined for 30 points over the last six games …—
Matt Williams
Matt Williams1
: exposed to fire from an enemy's weapons
The soldier showed courage under fire.
2
: under attack
The company has come under fire for its discriminatory hiring policies.
Examples of fire in a Sentence
Noun
Stay away from the fire.
The shack was destroyed by a fire.
Two people died in that terrible fire.
How did the fire start?
We warmed our hands over the fire.
She built a fire in the fireplace.
The fire went out and he had to light it again.
Verb
She fired the arrow at the target.
He fired several shots at the police.
He fired at the police.
The gun failed to fire.
The soldiers fired on the enemy.
The shortstop fired the ball to first base.
The angry mob fired rocks at him.
The boxer fired a left jab at his opponent's chin.
The story fired his imagination.
She had to fire several workers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Castro
peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
The fire originated in Flat 16, on the fourth floor.
—Time, 20 June 2025
Gregg Evans, New York Times, 21 June 2025
The Iron Dome intercepts missiles and rockets fired from a short range of up to around 45 miles, and David's Sling intercepts cruise missiles and rockets at a range of up to about 125 miles.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
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.
Noun
Israel and Iran exchanged heavy fire for the eighth straight day on Friday, with Iranian missiles striking Israeli cities and Israeli jets targeting military and nuclear sites across Iran.
—Amanda Castro
peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
The fire originated in Flat 16, on the fourth floor.
—Time, 20 June 2025
Verb
Lucas Ribeiro put the Sundowns into the lead in the 11th minute courtesy of a mazy run before firing the ball past Gregor Kobel.
—Gregg Evans, New York Times, 21 June 2025
The Iron Dome intercepts missiles and rockets fired from a short range of up to around 45 miles, and David's Sling intercepts cruise missiles and rockets at a range of up to about 125 miles.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fire
Cite this Entry
“Fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fire. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fire
1 of 2 noun1
: the light and heat and especially the flame produced by burning
2
: eager liveliness : enthusiasm
3
: fuel that is burning (as in a fireplace or stove)
4
: the destructive burning of something (as a building or a forest)
5
: the shooting of guns
fire
2 of 2 verb
fired; firing
1
b
: stir entry 1 sense 3, enliven
a story to fire the imagination
all fired up
2
: to dismiss from employment
3
: to cause to explode
fire dynamite
4
5
a
: to subject to great heat
fire pottery
b
: to feed the fire of
fire a furnace
6
a
: to begin to burn
b
: to have fuel (as in a cylinder of an engine) ignite at the proper time
7
: to transmit a nerve impulse
the neuron fired
firer
noun
Medical Definition
fire
2 of 2 verb
fired; firing
1
: to cause to transmit a nerve impulse
2
: to sear (the leg of a horse) with a hot iron in order to convert a crippling chronic inflammation into an acute inflammation that will stimulate the natural healing responses of the body
: to transmit a nerve impulse
the rate at which a neuron fires
Biographical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share