gunfire

[ guhn-fahyuh r ]

/ ˈgʌnˌfaɪər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR gunfire ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Military. the tactical use of firearms, especially artillery, as distinguished from other weapons, as bayonets, torpedoes, or grenades.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of gunfire

First recorded in 1795–1805; gun¹ + fire

Words nearby gunfire

guncotton, gunda, gundi, gunfight, gunfighter, gunfire, gunflint, gung ho, gung-ho, gunge, gunite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for gunfire

One witness said the gunfire began after a traffic collision, which drew the attention of a nearby police officer.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Gunfire was exchanged and Sam, who was unarmed, was wounded.
His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside|Justin Rohrlich|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Behind a chorus of shrill insects, the pops of gunfire can sometimes be heard in the distance.
A Belgian Prince, Gorillas, Guerrillas & the Future of the Congo|Nina Strochlic|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, returning from la-la land to our regularly scheduled program, 86 people died in the United States today from gunfire.
The Fear About Things That Won't Kill Us Is Killing Us|Cliff Schecter|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

That is seven children and teens killed by gunfire each and every day in America.
The Fear About Things That Won't Kill Us Is Killing Us|Cliff Schecter|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our 4th was turned on: first round 100 over; shortened and went into gunfire, and his report was that the effect was perfect.
In Flanders Fields and Other Poems|John McCrae
The cockswain of his pinnace, though hit twice, gallantly stuck to the wheel until the boat was out of gunfire.
The Childrens' Story of the War, Volume 3 (of 10)|James Edward Parrott
The noise of gunfire was coming nearer, shaking the ground like the uneven tread of a drunken giant.
Living Alone|Stella Benson
The French attack resolves itself into a triple system of gunfire.
War and the Future|H. G. Wells
A few minutes later his flagship, the Invincible, was sunk by gunfire.
Current History: A Monthly Magazine of the New York Times, May 1918|Various

British Dictionary definitions for gunfire

gunfire

/ (ˈɡʌnˌfaɪə) /

noun

the firing of one or more guns, esp when done repeatedly

the use of firearms, as contrasted with other military tactics

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

gunfire

noun

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Origin of gunfire

Words nearby gunfire

Words related to gunfire

Example sentences from the Web for gunfire

British Dictionary definitions for gunfire

noun