brushfire

1 of 2

adjective

brush·​fire ˈbrəsh-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce brushfire (audio)
: involving mobilization only on a small and local scale
brushfire border wars

brush fire

2 of 2

noun

1
: a fire involving low-growing plants (such as scrub and brush)
2
: a minor conflict or crisis
putting out political brush fires

Examples of brushfire in a Sentence

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.
Noun
The brush fire near Gilman Drive and Via Alicante broke out the afternoon of Jan. 23. Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025 The Palisades fire began as a brush fire in Pacific Palisades before exploding in size, ultimately consuming 23,448 acres and destroying 6,837 structures, with an additional 1,017 damaged. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025 The Palisades Fire erupted the morning of Jan. 7 in Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles neighborhood east of Malibu, as a brush fire. Saba Hamedy, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2025 Here's how much rain Southern California will get Rain is expected to be widespread, and reach Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties, which have all been on high alert for major infernos while tamping down numerous brush fires. Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for brushfire 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1954, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brushfire was in 1850

Dictionary Entries Near brushfire

brushed

brushfire

brush fire

Cite this Entry

“Brushfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brushfire. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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