fire engine

American  

[fahyuhr en-juhn] / ˈfaɪər ˌɛn dʒən /

noun

1. a vehicle equipped for firefighting, now usually a motor truck having a motor-driven pump for shooting water or chemical solutions at high pressure.

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fire engine British  

noun

1. a heavy road vehicle that carries firefighters and firefighting equipment to a fire

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Etymology

Origin of fire engine

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said three fire engine crews were called to tackle the blaze, which affected two floors of the property at Caerphilly Close, just after midnight on Friday 9 January.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

Another filmed himself checking on his home, and you can see exactly what he sees when he comments “not a fire engine in sight.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

The number of fire engine manufacturers has also declined.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2025

The bell, which came from the first fire engine to arrive on the scene on 11 May 1985, was donated to the city by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

From BBC • May 11, 2025

So Dr. Krupnik got onto his hands and knees and made a siren noise as he pushed the red fire engine slowly down the hall.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry