fireman

[fahyuhr-muhn]

noun

plural

firemen 

1. a person employed to extinguish or prevent fires; firefighter.

2. a person employed to tend fires; stoker.

3. Railroads.

   1. a person employed to fire and lubricate a steam locomotive.

   2. a person employed to assist the engineer of a diesel or electric locomotive.

4. U.S. Navy.,  an enlisted person assigned to the care and operation of a ship's machinery.

5. British Mining.,  fire boss.

6. Baseball.,  relief pitcher.

fireman

/ ˈfaɪəmən /

noun

1. Gender-neutral form: firefighter. a man who fights fires, usually a public employee or trained volunteer

2. 1. (on steam locomotives) the man who stokes the fire and controls the injectors feeding water to the boiler

   2. (on diesel and electric locomotives) the driver's assistant

3. a man who tends furnaces; stoker

4. US equivalent: fire boss. Also called: deputy. a mine official responsible for safety precautions

5. navy a junior rating who works on marine engineering equipment

6. informal,  any employee who is dispatched to deal with trouble at short notice

Gender Note

See -man.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fireman¹

1620–30 for sense “gunner”; fire + -man

Example Sentences

“I felt like I was at a crossroads because I didn’t know if I wanted to continue as a fireman ... the best job you could possibly have,” Greene said.

From Los Angeles Times

Veteran Republican strategist Mike Murphy had it right, telling CNN: “He’s lighting the fire as an arsonist, then claiming to be the fireman.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Most of the firemen know the area so well and they know how to manage it."

From BBC

After a nervy 30 minutes, firemen finally freed the parachutist and his chute to big cheers from the crowd.

From BBC

“Imagine if the word ‘fireman’ meant that 15 people could say they’re the one, and only one has the hose.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• firefighter