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 City of Malibu warned residents to prepare for potential wildfires, power outages, hazardous roads and malfunctioning traffic signals.
—
Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
By Maya Chung December 10, 2024 3:55 PM EST
As of Tuesday afternoon, a California wildfire, labeled the Franklin Fire, has spread across more than 2,500 acres along California’s Pacific coastline, including Malibu, prompting evacuations and sending more than 800 firefighters to the scene.
—Maya Chung, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Homes in the Malibu area have been damaged by wildfires in the past, and celebrities have been among those impacted.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Poor air quality from wildfires, vehicle exhaust, factories, and other sources takes a toll on lung health—but mounting research suggests that breathing unhealthy air can also put people at a greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wildfire 
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Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
By Maya Chung December 10, 2024 3:55 PM EST
As of Tuesday afternoon, a California wildfire, labeled the Franklin Fire, has spread across more than 2,500 acres along California’s Pacific coastline, including Malibu, prompting evacuations and sending more than 800 firefighters to the scene.
—Maya Chung, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Homes in the Malibu area have been damaged by wildfires in the past, and celebrities have been among those impacted.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Poor air quality from wildfires, vehicle exhaust, factories, and other sources takes a toll on lung health—but mounting research suggests that breathing unhealthy air can also put people at a greater risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wildfire
Dictionary Entries Near wildfire
Cite this Entry
“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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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