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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of firebreak

First recorded in 1890–95; fire + break

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

firebreak

French firefighters were "on the offensive" insisted commander Eric Pitault, standing in the middle of a 50-metre-wide, 25-kilometre-long firebreak cut with the help of civilian volunteers on the Cap Ferret peninsula.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

But, in a letter to the chair of Parliament's Transport Committee, Ruth Cadbury, Larkinson said the facts which later came to light meant the slot could no longer be considered an effective firebreak.

From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 27, 2025

"If we can establish really good woodlands here, it will not only have great benefits for wildlife and biodiversity but the woodland itself can act as a firebreak."

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2025

Then I hold the compass to my belly button, get the red line to match up with north, and follow that through the charred remnants of Rockledge Park until I hit the firebreak.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz