conflagration

noun

con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce conflagration (audio)
1
: fire
especially : a large disastrous fire
The conflagration destroyed the warehouses.
2
: conflict, war
The conflagration between the two countries lasted for ten years.

Examples of conflagration in a Sentence

The treaty is the latest attempt to resolve the ten-year conflagration. the historic tavern burned to the ground in a horrible conflagration
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.
Which could easily lead to a confrontation between those communities and Hezbollah, leading in turn to a nationwide conflagration. Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024 Wednesday’s surprise attack marks the first significant conflagration between Syrian rebels and the regime since March 2020, when Russia and Turkey mediated a ceasefire agreement in the country. Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 The site of the conflagration was Keatington New Town, a complex of condominiums built between 1975 and 1990, the Orion Township building official told Barnett, as the supervisor spoke to the Free Press. Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 20 Nov. 2024 Bar’s intervention in the summer came as Israeli officials in the defense ministry and the Israel Defense Forces warned that the West Bank was on the verge of an explosion that could cause hundreds of Israeli fatalities in a new conflagration in Israel’s multifront war. Mairav Zonszein, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conflagration 

Word History

Etymology

Latin conflagration-, conflagratio, from conflagrare — see conflagrant

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conflagration was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near conflagration

Cite this Entry

“Conflagration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflagration. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

conflagration

noun
con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce conflagration (audio)
: a large disastrous fire

More from Merriam-Webster on conflagration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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