firestorm

or fire storm

[ fahyuhr-stawrm ]

/ ˈfaɪərˌstɔrm /

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noun

an atmospheric phenomenon, caused by a large fire, in which the rising column of air above the fire draws in strong winds often accompanied by rain.

a raging fire of great intensity, as one fueled by oil or gas, that spreads rapidly.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of firestorm

First recorded in 1575–85; fire + storm

Words nearby firestorm

fireside chats, fire sign, fire station, firestone, firestop, firestorm, fire support, fire temple, firethorn, fire tower, fire trail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use firestorm in a sentence

The year was 1972, and a political firestorm had descended upon Miami Beach.
Florida Like You’ve Never Seen It|Stephen Starr|August 27, 2021|Ozy
It has been scouring Oregon for the past two weeks and has led to atmospheric and weather changes like unpredictable winds and firestorms.
6 critical fires and complexes in the US today|Sara Kiley Watson|July 20, 2021|Popular-Science
He said the altercation only caused such a firestorm because Wilson was involved, not because anything the forward did was egregious.
For some Caps fans, loving Tom Wilson is getting complicated|Scott Allen|May 14, 2021|Washington Post
Alas, the overwhelmed Smith mistakenly sent live smallpox to North Carolina in 1822, causing a small outbreak and a political firestorm.
Covid-19 showed the urgency of investing in public health. Will we listen?|J.M. Opal, Steven Opal|April 9, 2021|Washington Post

The tweet touched off a firestorm of parent complaints, with one father writing in a Washington Post op-ed that either schools should open or teachers should give up their priority for vaccinations.
What it would really take to reopen American schools|Anna North|February 2, 2021|Vox
The tweet set off an Internet firestorm and was retweeted nearly 15,000 times in less than an hour.
Neil deGrasse Tyson Trolls Christians on Christmas|Ben Jacobs|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
GOP staffer Elizabeth Lauten set off a firestorm after criticizing Sasha and Malia Obama.
Let’s Not Forget: We Were All Teenagers Once|Russell Saunders|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He now finds himself at the epic center of a firestorm having earlier been caught on camera throwing “liquids” at the police.
Police Brutality Inflames Hong Kong|Ben Leung|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When I finally got a chance to read the piece in question, I was somewhat surprised by the firestorm.
A Sexism Problem at The New York Times|Keli Goff|September 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The article sparked another firestorm in American and Israeli circles, with dueling accusations of betrayal and stabs-in-the-back.
Inside the Kerry-Israel Meltdown|Josh Rogin, Eli Lake|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for firestorm

firestorm

/ (ˈfaɪəˌstɔːm) /

noun

an uncontrollable blaze sustained by violent winds that are drawn into the column of rising hot air over the burning area: often the result of heavy bombing

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