gunfight

noun

gun·​fight ˈgən-ˌfīt How to pronounce gunfight (audio)
: a hostile encounter in which antagonists with guns shoot at each other
gunfighter noun

Examples of gunfight in a Sentence

There was a gunfight between the rival gangs.
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.
There’s a scene early on in season one where Adebayo, Harcourt and Peacemaker come into the office after a gunfight. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025 The gunfight was between two gangs, one known as the Folk Nation and the other as Spice Gang, sources said. Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2025 The situation quickly escalated into a gunfight. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025 Until Labor Day, summer evenings officially begin at 7 p.m. with a gunfight in the street between members of the Cataract Creek Gang. Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gunfight

Word History

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunfight was in 1659

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Cite this Entry

“Gunfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunfight. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

gunfight

noun
gun·​fight -ˌfīt How to pronounce gunfight (audio)
: a fight fought with guns
gunfighter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on gunfight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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