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
One of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, the Palisades fire burned 23,448 acres and destroyed much of the exclusive Pacific Palisades community, destroying about 6,800 structures and killing 12 people.
—
City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Osceola County enacted a burn ban on Monday for unincorporated areas because of the high wildfire risks from the dry conditions.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
In 2024, thousands of Orange County residents were forced to flee from a wildfire after an employee of the county’s public works department used heavy equipment to try to move a rock on a hot, windy day, sparking the Airport fire.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
With gusty winds expected behind the front, the wildfire threat will increase Thursday, and the Texas A&M Forest Service has placed much of the state, including parts of the Hill Country, under a moderate to high wildfire threat.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
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City News Service, Daily News, 19 Feb. 2026
Osceola County enacted a burn ban on Monday for unincorporated areas because of the high wildfire risks from the dry conditions.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
In 2024, thousands of Orange County residents were forced to flee from a wildfire after an employee of the county’s public works department used heavy equipment to try to move a rock on a hot, windy day, sparking the Airport fire.
—Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
With gusty winds expected behind the front, the wildfire threat will increase Thursday, and the Texas A&M Forest Service has placed much of the state, including parts of the Hill Country, under a moderate to high wildfire threat.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 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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