firebase

American  

[fahyuhr-beys] / ˈfaɪərˌbeɪs /

noun

Military.

1. an artillery base, especially one set up quickly to support advancing troops or to forestall enemy advances.

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firebase British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌbeɪs /

noun

1. an artillery base supporting advancing troops

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Etymology

Origin of firebase

First recorded in 1965–70; fire + base ¹

Example Sentences

Flying into a remote US-manned firebase in the mountainous Paktika province in a Blackhawk helicopter, my BBC crew and I were told cheerfully: "You've come to the worst place in the world".

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

In 1970, it was decided — “by vainglorious minds, smaller than mine,” Tim wrote — to reopen a long abandoned Marine firebase in the heart of the A Shau Valley, near the border with Laos.

From Washington Post • Aug. 17, 2022

An end, even if long overdue and perhaps contrived, can still have real power, said Thomas Burke, who was 20 and a lance corporal at a firebase in a small Afghan village in 2009.

From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2021

One morning in the latter part of March, Task Force Barker moved out from its firebase headed for “Pinkville.”

From Time • Mar. 16, 2015

The firebase was about six miles from Hamburger Hill.

From Time Magazine Archive