wildfire
noun
wild·fire
ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfī(-ə)r 
1
: a sweeping and destructive conflagration especially in a wilderness or a rural area
2
3
: a phosphorescent glow (such as ignis fatuus or fox fire)
4
: a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)
Examples of wildfire in a Sentence
The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.
Recent Examples on the Web
While her home was not destroyed, the actress revealed in a Jan. 10 interview that one of her friends perished in the wildfires.
—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The lawsuit lists the major destructive wildfires that investigators said were sparked by Edison’s equipment in recent years, including the Bobcat and Silverado fires in 2020, as well as the Coastal and Fairview fires in 2022.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The dangers of summer The loss of the NOAA data comes at a particularly dangerous time of the year when hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are about to explode.
—Jeremy Ney, Time, 21 May 2025
Though wildfires forced the game to be moved to Arizona, the Minnesota Vikings had to hit the road despite going 14-3, one game behind the Lions.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
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Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 May 2025
The lawsuit lists the major destructive wildfires that investigators said were sparked by Edison’s equipment in recent years, including the Bobcat and Silverado fires in 2020, as well as the Coastal and Fairview fires in 2022.
—Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
The dangers of summer The loss of the NOAA data comes at a particularly dangerous time of the year when hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are about to explode.
—Jeremy Ney, Time, 21 May 2025
Though wildfires forced the game to be moved to Arizona, the Minnesota Vikings had to hit the road despite going 14-3, one game behind the Lions.
—Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
Cite this Entry
“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wildfire
noun
wild·fire
ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r
: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area
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