gunfight

noun

gun·​fight ˈgən-ˌfīt How to pronounce gunfight (audio)
: a hostile encounter in which antagonists with guns shoot at each other
gunfighter
ˈgən-ˌfī-tər How to pronounce gunfight (audio)
noun

Examples of gunfight in a Sentence

There was a gunfight between the rival gangs.
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.
After a gunfight in the town of Tapalpa, the operation ended in his death. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026 At the time of the incident, police described it as an apparent robbery that led to a gunfight, reports said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026 Detroit police are investigating a gunfight that left two men injured Saturday evening at a repast on the city's east side. — Nick Lentz, CBS News, 15 June 2026 Last month, three assailants opened fire at police outside a building housing the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, sparking a gunfight that left one attacker dead. — Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunfight

Word History

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunfight was in 1659

Rhymes for gunfight

See All Rhymes for gunfight

Browse Nearby Words

gundy
gunfight
gunfighter
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Cite this Entry

“Gunfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunfight. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

gunfight

noun
gun·​fight -ˌfīt How to pronounce gunfight (audio)
: a fight fought with guns
gunfighter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on gunfight

Nglish: Translation of gunfight for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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