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.

---

fire engine British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of fire engine

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Imported Kei vehicles cost anywhere from $6,500 for an old mini van or above $10,000 for a Kei fire engine or lorry.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

Atop the aerial ladder of a bright red fire engine, a firefighter wrangles a hose.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

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

Ms Logan's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop an aerial ladder platform fire engine.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 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