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.
At least 85 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes or gunfire across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, most in Gaza City, according to the territory’s health ministry. Reuters, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025 Four of the detectives were struck and went down, while a fifth detective and the deputy sheriff returned gunfire, Barker said. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025 While officers were attempting to serve the arrest warrant, they were met with gunfire. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025 Last year, 23 MPS students died due to gunfire, with many coming as a result of arguments, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report found. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 17 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 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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