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)
see also:
Examples of wildfire in a Sentence
The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.
Recent Examples on the Web
April showers filled May reservoirs, but not enough to salvage a dreadful water year for farmers across southern Idaho — or to offset mounting fears of the wildfire season ahead.
—
Mark Dee
may 22, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2026
Firefighters came to the aid of a family whose home was destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire this week in Simi Valley.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
When a wildfire, flood or hurricane hits, local planners and builders are often scrambling to interpret static text that’s hard to find and harder to apply under duress.
—Scott Reynolds, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Unscheduled highway closures, due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents such as wildfires, can also still occur, and ADOT has ways for motorists to keep track of road conditions.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
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Mark Dee
may 22, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2026
Firefighters came to the aid of a family whose home was destroyed by a fast-moving wildfire this week in Simi Valley.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
When a wildfire, flood or hurricane hits, local planners and builders are often scrambling to interpret static text that’s hard to find and harder to apply under duress.
—Scott Reynolds, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Unscheduled highway closures, due to crashes, disabled vehicles or other incidents such as wildfires, can also still occur, and ADOT has ways for motorists to keep track of road conditions.
—Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
Cite this Entry
“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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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