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firefight

American

[fahyuhr-fahyt] / ˈfaɪərˌfaɪt /

noun

an exchange of gunfire between two opposing forces, especially a skirmish between military forces.

firefight British

/ ˈfaɪəˌfaɪt /

noun

a brief small-scale engagement between opposing military ground forces using short-range light weapons

"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

Etymology

Origin of firefight

First recorded in 1895–1900; fire + fight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

firefight

Both men were hurt again but there would be no finish for either, as it was the bell that called the end of a brilliant firefight.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

In Israel Hayom, military columnist Yoav Limor describes the firefight near Rafah as "a warning", adding: "If Israel fails to establish tough and clear rules vis-à-vis Hamas it could find itself on a slippery slope."

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2025

The department said five mutual-aid engine companies and Cal Fire had joined in the firefight.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2025

A military ambulance was delayed because of the firefight, but a Vietnam veteran who lived nearby rescued him, Park said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2025

“I thought a firefight was when you shot at something. ”

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023