gunfire

noun

gun·​fire ˈgən-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce gunfire (audio)
: the firing of guns

Examples of gunfire in a Sentence

We heard gunfire in the distance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anne Tejada was blindsided by a hail of gunfire outside a home in Miami Gardens, waking up hours later in a hospital bed, police say. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Despite the officer telling dispatchers the number of shots and where the gunfire came from, police did not find Kiara Jenkins' body until 10 hours later. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 1 July 2026 What is the difference between the sound of a firework and gunfire? Eva Flowe july 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026 Washington and his men had left the fort heading west toward the sounds of gunfire. Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunfire

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunfire was in 1727

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunfire. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

gunfire

noun
gun·​fire -ˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce gunfire (audio)
: the firing of guns

More from Merriam-Webster on gunfire

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster