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

And then there are other emergencies, including massive wildfires threatening the area’s sensitive habitat and train derailments. —Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024

Thousands of Canadians forced to evacuate as massive wildfire burns In: Shipwreck Florida Aliza Chasan Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 13 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wildfire

• like 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