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

: greek fire

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)

Phrases

like wildfire

: very rapidly

the news spread like wildfire

Examples of wildfire in a Sentence

The recent wildfires were made worse by the strong winds.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the equipment was donated to Ukraine in 2022, there is no evidence this impacted wildfire spread or containment efforts. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

Trails burned in wildfires often stay closed for several months to years to allow for the forest to recover and for trail maintenance crews to repair routes and infrastructure. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Shannon Martin, an insurance industry analyst for Bankrate, said the California wildfires will create a massive insurance liability that may raise rates down the road for neighboring states, and perhaps even Illinois. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

Bill Burr and Shane Gillis are teaming up for a one-night comedy event to benefit those affected by the L.A wildfires. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wildfire

• spread like wildfire

Kids Definition

wildfire

noun

wild·​fire ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r 

: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area