dogfight

American  

[dawg-fahyt, dog-] / ˈdɔgˌfaɪt, ˈdɒg- /

noun

1. a violent fight between dogs.

2. a fight between warring fighter planes.

3. any rough-and-tumble physical battle.

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verb (used with object)

dogfought, dogfighting

1. to engage in a dogfight with.

verb (used without object)

dogfought, dogfighting

1. to engage in a dogfight.

dogfight British  

/ ˈdɒɡˌfaɪt /

noun

1. close quarters combat between fighter aircraft

2. any rough violent fight

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Etymology

Origin of dogfight

1650–60; 1915 dogfight for def. 2; dog + fight

Example Sentences

Held together with scrounged parts and ingenuity, Iran’s aging jets are falling in dogfights.

From The Wall Street Journal

Known for: Highly maneuverable, supersonic light fighter, excellent dogfighting capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Williams didn’t speak about the details of the encounter — even with family members — until records about the dogfight were declassified in 2002.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a dogfight and Italy's dogs were just that bit more menacing.

From BBC

Last weekend Osasuna winger Munoz impressed as his team won away for the first time all season, for back-to-back wins to take them away from the relegation dogfight.

From Barron's

Related Words

• action
• altercation
• argument
• battle
• bout
• brawl
• clash
• combat
• conflict
• confrontation
• contest
• controversy
• disagreement
• dispute
• duel
• exchange
• feud
• match
• melee
• quarrel