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
In Maui, while some of the island’s celebrity homeowners initially discouraged visitors from returning, the region was welcoming people back two months after the wildfires, says Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, chief stewardship officer at the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
—
Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
The figure includes about $500 million in immediate costs plus lost revenue and recovery spending, and illustrates the lingering toll of the wildfires that began on Jan. 7, killing 30 people and destroying thousands of homes.
—Shawn Hubler, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, the natural world — wildfires, volcanic activity and even plant respiration — contributes far more CO2 to the atmosphere.
—Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
Soot from wildfires and silicate dust, flung high by the collisional energy, may have created a planet-cooling blanket.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
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.
Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
The figure includes about $500 million in immediate costs plus lost revenue and recovery spending, and illustrates the lingering toll of the wildfires that began on Jan. 7, killing 30 people and destroying thousands of homes.
—Shawn Hubler, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
However, the natural world — wildfires, volcanic activity and even plant respiration — contributes far more CO2 to the atmosphere.
—Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
Soot from wildfires and silicate dust, flung high by the collisional energy, may have created a planet-cooling blanket.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wildfire
Cite this Entry
“Wildfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wildfire. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wildfire
noun
wild·fire
ˈwī(ə)l(d)-ˌfī(ə)r
: an uncontrollable fire that destroys a wide area
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share