gunfire

noun

gun·​fire ˈgən-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce gunfire (audio)
: the firing of guns

Examples of gunfire in a Sentence

We heard gunfire in the distance.
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.
Both victims are believed to have been residents of the apartment complex where Carlton Neal Johnson II, 35, opened fire before he was fatally struck in an exchange of gunfire with police. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Initially, responding officers believed one person had been shot, but more 911 calls came in reporting there was additional gunfire. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 The suspect, who exchanged gunfire with responding officers, is also dead, interim Minneapolis Police Chief Bill Peterson said. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026 The five wounded by gunfire included two Minneapolis police officers, while a sixth person, another officer, suffered other injuries, police Sgt. — Ellen Schmidt, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunfire

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunfire was in 1727

Rhymes for gunfire

See All Rhymes for gunfire

Browse Nearby Words

gunfighter
gunfire
gunflint
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gunfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunfire. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gunfire

noun
gun·​fire -ˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce gunfire (audio)
: the firing of guns
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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