wildfire
noun
wild·fire
ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfī(-ə)r 
1
: a sweeping and destructive conflagration especially in a wilderness or a rural area
2
3
: a phosphorescent glow (such as ignis fatuus or fox fire)
4
: a destructive leaf-spot disease of tobacco caused by several strains of a bacterium (Pseudomonas syringae)
Examples of wildfire in a Sentence
The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.
Recent Examples on the Web
The wildfire has been burning on private land.
—
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But the teams responsible for wildfire preparedness, risk management and emergency alerts were reduced.
—Marlowe Starling, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Small particles in wildfire smoke penetrate into the lungs and can circulate in the bloodstream.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
The theory’s confirmation is particularly significant as climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires in Australia and around the world.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
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Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
But the teams responsible for wildfire preparedness, risk management and emergency alerts were reduced.
—Marlowe Starling, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Small particles in wildfire smoke penetrate into the lungs and can circulate in the bloodstream.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
The theory’s confirmation is particularly significant as climate change continues to increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires in Australia and around the world.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
Cite this Entry
“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wildfire
noun
wild·fire
ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r
: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area
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