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

Both men were hurt again but there would be no finish for either, as it was the bell that called the end of a brilliant firefight.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

While I’m sure that no first lieutenant is going to be allowed to start a firefight without consulting superiors, the days when only senior officers had the big picture are over.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

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