brushfire

1 of 2

adjective

brush·​fire ˈbrəsh-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce brushfire (audio)
: involving mobilization only on a small and local scale
brushfire border wars

brush fire

2 of 2

noun

1
: a fire involving low-growing plants (such as scrub and brush)
2
: a minor conflict or crisis
putting out political brush fires

Examples of brushfire in a Sentence

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.
Noun
The fast-moving brush fire that swept through the canyon off Montezuma Road near San Diego State University on Oct. 31 reminds us how fast disaster can strike. Rene Kaprielian, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025 The brush fire blackened about 100 square feet before being extinguished by firefighters, deputies said in the news release. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2025 Everything Esposito’s team learned will be of great value to the FDNY’s new brush fire task force, which was put together to combat the stunning rise in brush fires across New York City fueled by last year’s extensive drought. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025 The Hurst Fire started on Jan. 7 in Sylmar, a suburban neighborhood north of San Fernando, as a brush fire. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for brushfire 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1954, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brushfire was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near brushfire

brushed

brushfire

brush fire

Cite this Entry

“Brushfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brushfire. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

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