dogfight

noun

dog·​fight ˈdȯg-ˌfīt How to pronounce dogfight (audio)
1
: a fight between dogs
broadly : a fiercely disputed contest
2
: a fight between two or more fighter planes usually at close quarters
dogfight intransitive verb
dogfighter noun

Examples of dogfight in a Sentence

He was shot down in a dogfight over enemy territory. The election has turned into a real dogfight.
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.
Until offensive coordinators figure out a way to counter Cover 2, fans may want to dial back their appetite for the aerial dogfights that have characterized the last two decades of NFL Sundays. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Sep. 2024 The Dodgers have been in a dogfight with San Diego and Arizona for the division all summer, so Roberts hasn’t had the luxury of giving Lux a longer leash against left-handers. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 Harris and Trump in a ‘dogfight’ in the election’s final stretch Former President Donald Trump; Vice President Kamala Harris. Kaylah Jackson, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024 The two compelling actors play herders struggling to get by in the muddy hills of west Ireland, where a longtime feud between their families degenerates into an all-out dogfight (or is that a sheep-fight?). Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for dogfight 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dogfight was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near dogfight

Cite this Entry

“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dogfight. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dogfight

noun
dog·​fight -ˌfīt How to pronounce dogfight (audio)
: a fight at close range between fighter planes
dogfight verb
dogfighter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dogfight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!