firefight

American  

[fahyuhr-fahyt] / ˈfaɪərˌfaɪt /

noun

1. an exchange of gunfire between two opposing forces, especially a skirmish between military forces.

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firefight British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌfaɪt /

noun

1. a brief small-scale engagement between opposing military ground forces using short-range light weapons

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Etymology

Origin of firefight

First recorded in 1895–1900; fire + fight

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

firefight

Bader, 60, said he took out his camera and began to photograph the firefight.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

The BBC showed photographs from the scene to forensics and ballistics experts, who said that the clusters suggested multiple rounds had been fired downward from above, and did not appear indicative of a firefight.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

Troops had mixed feelings about the technology, with some noting it isn’t always practical to look at a screen in the middle of a firefight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

Los Angeles County personnel assisted in the firefight, and by 12:45 p.m., the blaze was under control, according to authorities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

“I thought a firefight was when you shot at something. ”

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

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