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
This wildfire problem is intertwined with a legal, regulatory, and political process, so any definitive conclusions could take years.
—
Bill Stone, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The National Interagency Fire Center said 21 large wildfires are active nationally, and current fires have burned 883,318 acres.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
Across the Northeast, officials have warned residents not to throw cigarettes or matches on the ground and to extinguish fires with plenty of water as dry conditions and windy conditions elevate the risk of wildfires.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
On-demand brush collection will also reduce wildfire risks, city officials say.
—Asher Price, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wildfire 
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Bill Stone, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The National Interagency Fire Center said 21 large wildfires are active nationally, and current fires have burned 883,318 acres.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024
Across the Northeast, officials have warned residents not to throw cigarettes or matches on the ground and to extinguish fires with plenty of water as dry conditions and windy conditions elevate the risk of wildfires.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
On-demand brush collection will also reduce wildfire risks, city officials say.
—Asher Price, Axios, 31 Oct. 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 15 Nov. 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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