fire extinguisher

noun

: a portable or wheeled apparatus for putting out small fires by ejecting extinguishing chemicals

Examples of fire extinguisher 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.
The only difference is that, after this race, some of the competitors collapsed to the floor with sparks flying from their insides while safety officials charged over to attend to them with fire extinguishers. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Robots had 30 minutes to identify hazardous substances, locate and shut off three open valves of different types, spot a fire, and then find a fire extinguisher to put it out. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 The club had only one fire extinguisher and its ceiling was made of highly flammable material, while the venue’s 250-person capacity was exceeded by double the amount of people, most of them between the ages of 16 and 25. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026 Investigators retrieved a pickaxe and fire extinguisher at the scene of the crime. — News Desk, Artforum, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fire extinguisher

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fire extinguisher was in 1810

Browse Nearby Words

fire-exit bolt
fire extinguisher
fire-eyed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fire extinguisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fire%20extinguisher. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fire extinguisher

noun
: something used to put out a fire
especially : a portable or wheeled device for putting out small fires by spraying fire-extinguishing chemicals

More from Merriam-Webster on fire extinguisher

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fire extinguisher

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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