Greek fire

American  

noun

1. an incendiary mixture of unknown composition, used in warfare in medieval times by Byzantine Greeks.

2. any of a group of inflammable mixtures; wildfire.

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Greek fire British  

noun

1. a Byzantine weapon employed in naval warfare from 670 _ad. It consisted of an unknown mixture that, when wetted, exploded and was projected, burning, from tubes

2. any of several other inflammable mixtures used in warfare up to the 19th century

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Etymology

Origin of Greek fire

First recorded in 1820–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Greek fire

Other fires across the country, including one on the Ionian island of Cephalonia, had largely been contained, the Greek fire service said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

A British pilot and another Greek fire service liaison officer on the second helicopter survived.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

Artopios, the Greek fire department spokesman, said 260 firefighters, including more than a dozen from France, were battling the Parnitha fire supported by a multinational force of 10 planes and 11 helicopters.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 24, 2023

Cyprus said it was sending two firefighting aircraft to help Greek fire fighters.

From Reuters ● Aug. 21, 2023

I’d heard stories about what Greek fire could do.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan

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