firestorm

American  

[fahyuhr-stawrm] / ˈfaɪərˌstɔrm /

Or fire storm

noun

1. 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.

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

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firestorm British  

/ ˈfaɪəˌstɔːm /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of firestorm

First recorded in 1575–85; fire + storm

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

firestorm

Bass has struggled with unfavorable ratings in the wake of the January 2025 firestorm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

The 44-year-old singer sparked a social media firestorm last week when she publicly criticized Art of Play, a magic and games store in Brooklyn, after an unsuccessful attempt to purchase a mechanical singing bird.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

The city of L.A. also drew criticism for the fact that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was dry during the firestorm, while the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

It’s an argument that is easy to defend, though of course the resurfacing of these tweets has caused its own firestorm.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

Indeed, the master narrative led to such surprising conclusions about Native American societies before the arrival of Europeans that it stirred up an intellectual firestorm.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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