firing

noun

fir·​ing ˈfī-riŋ 

ˈfī-ər-iŋ

1

: the act or process of one that fires

2

: the process of maturing ceramic products by the application of heat

Synonyms

• blasting
• discharge
• shot

Examples of firing in a Sentence

found a flaw in the gun's firing

Recent Examples on the Web

Jacobs said Republican colleagues have shared concerns privately with her about what Trump is doing and pointed out that this week, a Nebraska congressman became the first Republican lawmaker to publicly call for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s firing. —Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

The latest firings comes as dozens of courts around the country are already facing vacancies after the Trump administration laid off or received resignations from over 100 court staff, including over two dozen judges. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025

The firings came after the officials were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the internal leaks at the DOD. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025

Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter The Defense Department has faced scrutiny in recent weeks over officials’ sharing of sensitive information and several high-profile firings. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing firing

• firing line
• firing pin
• firing squad
• in the firing line
• on the firing line

Rhymes for firing

• hiring
• quiring
• tiring
• wiring
• acquiring
• admiring
• aspiring
• conspiring
• enquiring
• expiring
• inspiring
• perspiring