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.
Less than ten minutes later, at that same rally, gunfire rang out and a sick and deranged assassin unloaded eight bullets from his sniper's perch into a crowd of many thousands of people. NPR, 5 Mar. 2025 The gunfire erupted about 10:50 p.m. outside The Grill by Miss G in the 21900 block of Foothill Boulevard, according to a statement from police Officer Jessica Banuelos. Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 Throughout the night, gunfire continued, and rioters recrossed the creek to torch the remaining buildings in the Chinese quarter. Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025 Everyone in the house lay on the floor until the gunfire ended. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gunfire

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunfire was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunfire. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

gunfire

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

More from Merriam-Webster on gunfire

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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