firestorm

American  

[fahyuhr-stawrm] / ˈfaɪərˌstɔrm /

Or fire storm

noun

1. an atmospheric phenomenon, caused by a large fire, in which the rising column of air above the fire draws in strong winds often accompanied by rain.

2. a raging fire of great intensity, as one fueled by oil or gas, that spreads rapidly.

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firestorm British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌstɔːm /

noun

1. an uncontrollable blaze sustained by violent winds that are drawn into the column of rising hot air over the burning area: often the result of heavy bombing

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Etymology

Origin of firestorm

First recorded in 1575–85; fire + storm

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

firestorm

The 44-year-old singer sparked a social media firestorm last week when she publicly criticized Art of Play, a magic and games store in Brooklyn, after an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a mechanical singing bird.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

Kimberly-Clark forecast a decline in third-quarter sales and backed its outlook for the year, following a social-media firestorm in China over the company’s diapers this past summer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Reviews of last year’s firestorm revealed critical failures to pre-stage resources, especially in the Palisades where no engines were deployed in advance of the fire’s start, despite warnings of extreme weather.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Do we think Ossoff meant to trigger the firestorm he did?

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026

The machine had gained altitude and left the firestorm behind.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

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