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firefighting

American  
[fahyuhr-fahyt-ing] / ˈfaɪərˌfaɪt ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the profession or process of containing and putting out destructive fires.


adjective

  1. engaged, involved, or used in containing and putting out destructive fires.

firefighting British  
/ ˈfaɪəˌfaɪtɪŋ /

noun

    1. the occupation of attempting to control and extinguish fires

    2. ( as modifier )

      firefighting equipment

  1. the practice of reacting to urgent problems as they arise, as opposed to planning for the future

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

GEO Group has no firefighting capability and in the event of a fire, it would be up to Newark to respond.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

The inquiry heard evidence from an Aboriginal community living near a navy base in New South Wales state, who bathed in and gathered food near rivers contaminated by firefighting foam.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

A total of nine pumping appliances, an aerial appliance, high volume pump and 60 firefighters are engaged in the firefighting operations.

From BBC • May 24, 2026

Communications between firefighters and state officials showed that protecting endangered plant species from firefighting equipment took priority over ensuring the embers were fully extinguished.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

“The Cogswell and Morris Reservoirs are gone—but the lake behind the San Gabriel Dam is maintained for firefighting aircraft. I’m sure of it.”

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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