firefighter

American  

[fahyuhr-fahy-ter] / ˈfaɪərˌfaɪ tɛr /

Or fire fighter

noun

1. a person who fights destructive fires.

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firefighter British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌfaɪtə /

noun

1. a person who fights fires, usually a public employee or trained volunteer

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Other Word Forms

• firefighting noun

Etymology

Origin of firefighter

First recorded in 1900–05; fire + fighter

Explanation

A firefighter is someone whose job involves investigating and putting out accidental blazes. If your gas stove ignites a towel and you can't put out the flames, call the firefighters! The word fireman is older than firefighter, which first appeared in the late 19th century, and for a long time it was much more commonly used. These days, it's more accurate to use firefighter, since men and women both work for fire departments battling fires. Also, the word perfectly describes the job itself, fighting dangerous fires.

Example Sentences

On Wednesday, a volunteer firefighter was found dead from suspected exhaustion linked to heat and underlying health conditions, officials told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Instead, the 28-year-old is now pursuing an abrupt shift: becoming a full-time firefighter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

“But at some point, she’s gonna go home to the small town and find the nice firefighter and realize there’s another option.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

He wants to study to become a firefighter.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

No Z. No crazy bomber dude or firefighter coming to save the day.

From "Time Bomb" by Joelle Charbonneau