firebreak

American  

[fahyuhr-breyk] / ˈfaɪərˌbreɪk /

noun

1. a strip of plowed or cleared land made to check the spread of a prairie or forest fire.

---

firebreak British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌbreɪk /

noun

1. Also: fireguard.   fire line.  a strip of open land in a forest or on a prairie, to arrest the advance of a fire

2. a measure taken to arrest the advance of anything dangerous or harmful

---

Etymology

Origin of firebreak

First recorded in 1890–95; fire + break

Example Sentences

They were trying to create a firebreak, a buffer zone like the bald where there would be nothing for the wildfires to burn.

From Literature

The ORR had justified the decision by saying the service had to run empty so its slot could be used as a firebreak - a planned gap in the timetable in case of delays.

From BBC

But behind it, there’s a clear-cut where they put in a firebreak to protect the houses.

From Literature

Ota testified he wasn’t concerned about covering up the firebreak as there was already live brush on each side.

From Los Angeles Times

Lee Jarvis added the school would shut for a short "firebreak" period to allow a deep clean, with online learning in place.

From BBC