firefight

noun
fire·​fight | \ ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌfīt How to pronounce firefight (audio) \

Definition of firefight

1a : a usually brief intense exchange of fire between opposing military units
b : a hostile confrontation that involves gunfire

Examples of firefight in a Sentence

a firefight between police and bank robbers

Recent Examples on the Web

Within seconds, the motor vehicle stop erupted into a firefight, as Moye radioed for backup. Los Angeles Times, "Riverside shootout between cop doing his ‘dream job’ and troubled felon ends in heartbreak," 14 Aug. 2019 Despite the heavy black smoke that covered the area, crowds gathered Wednesday to watch the firefight unfold. Jennifer Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Two firefighters burned while battling blaze inside vacant Park Ridge gas station ‘loaded’ with hazardous material," 17 July 2019 The parents of a Hartford man fatally shot by police in Windham earlier this year are demanding more transparency from the ongoing investigation into whether officers acted appropriately during the police chase and firefight that killed their son. Zach Murdock, courant.com, "NAACP, parents of man killed by cops in Windham demand more police transparency," 17 July 2019 Guzman, meanwhile, was extradited to the U.S. earlier in 2017 after he was captured in a firefight between his bodyguards and Mexican marine special forces. Jason Meisner, chicagotribune.com, "Top female leader under 'El Chapo’ pleads guilty to narcotics, money laundering charges in Chicago," 26 June 2019 In the tenth hour of a firefight with the Taliban, he was badly wounded. Christa Case Bryant, The Christian Science Monitor, "Overcoming despair: How a wounded Green Beret came back stronger," 2 July 2019 There was a firefight between the Americans and Germans. Ron Grossman, Houston Chronicle, "IN THEIR OWN WORDS," 9 June 2019 The Pentagon also announced Wednesday that the Army has approved nine awards for valor, including four awarded posthumously to the soldiers killed in the ambush and ensuing firefight. Washington Post, "Pentagon ends reviews of Niger ambush that killed 4 soldiers," 6 June 2019 The Army has approved nine awards for valor, including four awarded posthumously to the soldiers killed in the ambush and ensuing firefight. Fox News, "Pentagon ends reviews of Niger ambush that killed 4 soldiers," 6 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'firefight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of firefight

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for firefight

firefight

noun

English Language Learners Definition of firefight

: a battle in which people shoot guns especially : a usually short and fast gunfight between opposing military units