wildfire

noun

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)
Phrases
like wildfire
: very rapidly
the news spread like wildfire

Examples of wildfire in a Sentence

The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.
Recent Examples on the Web This can include avoiding the increasing number of wildfires or making sure to get homeowner's insurance on a house that could potentially be hit by a hurricane. Joe Hindy, PCMAG, 28 Sep. 2024 Proposition 4 will shift us from disaster response to disaster prevention before the damage becomes too costly and unmanageable — preventing wildfires, providing safe drinking water for everyone, and protecting our forests, beaches and coasts. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024 Most were intercepted or fell in open areas, sparking some wildfires, though one rocket hit a street in a town near the northern city of Safed. Bassem Mroue and Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 Witness the California wildfires and recent flooding in Milan, Italy. Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wildfire 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wildfire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wildfire was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wildfire

Cite this Entry

“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

wildfire

noun
: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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