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.
They were called to the scene after learning that a man in his 40s was struck by gunfire. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Torres, who was sitting in the passenger seat and closest to the gunfire, survived but was shot multiple times, according to KTVB. — Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026 In the video, sounds resembling gunfire were heard just seconds before a drone struck the beach, causing a fireball explosion that sent bystanders screaming. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Robert Sinners, communications director for Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and his fiancee, CBS News Atlanta reporter Madeline Montgomery, awoke shortly after midnight to the sound of gunfire outside their southwest Atlanta home. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gunfire

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

More from Merriam-Webster on gunfire

Nglish: Translation of gunfire for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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