firefight

American

[fahyuhr-fahyt] / ˈfaɪərˌfaɪt /

noun

an exchange of gunfire between two opposing forces, especially a skirmish between military forces.

firefight British

/ ˈfaɪəˌfaɪt /

noun

a brief small-scale engagement between opposing military ground forces using short-range light weapons

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of firefight

First recorded in 1895–1900; fire + fight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Israel Hayom, military columnist Yoav Limor describes the firefight near Rafah as "a warning", adding: "If Israel fails to establish tough and clear rules vis-à-vis Hamas it could find itself on a slippery slope."

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

The lawsuit cites reporting from The Times that found LADWP’s Santa Ynez Reservoir, located in the Palisades, sat empty during the firefight, having been closed months prior for repairs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2025

Both fighters showed wild aggression, taking the centre of the ring and letting their hands go in a 12-round edge-of-your-seat firefight.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2025

Strong winds and dry conditions were hindering the firefight from the air.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2025

While I’m sure that no first lieutenant is going to be allowed to start a firefight without consulting superiors, the days when only senior officers had the big picture are over.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023