gunfight

[guhn-fahyt]

noun

1. a battle between two or more people or groups armed with guns, gun, especially a confrontation between two gunfighters using revolvers in the frontier days of the American West.

gunfight

/ ˈɡʌnˌfaɪt /

noun

1. a fight between persons using firearms

Other Word Forms

• gunfighting noun
• gunfighter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunfight¹

First recorded in 1650–60; gun ¹ + fight

Example Sentences

Too often England have arrived at an Australian gunfight armed only with knives.

Read more on BBC

Expecting perhaps a 12-minute gunfight, it instead lasted only two as the actors’ discipline fell apart, and the SEALs cut them to shreds.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Many of its 94 minutes are occupied with well-mounted car chases, stunts and gunfights, obviating the need for character development, past the traditional foes-become-friends dynamic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One of the charges referred to a "gunfight" in a residential street in Walton, Liverpool.

Read more on BBC

Since then, however, gunfights have erupted regularly around Culiacán, with decapitated bodies bearing threatening messages left on public display.

Read more on Los Angeles Times