conflagration

noun

con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce conflagration (audio)
1
: fire
especially : a large disastrous fire
The conflagration destroyed the warehouses.
2
: conflict, war
The conflagration between the two countries lasted for ten years.

Examples of conflagration in a Sentence

The treaty is the latest attempt to resolve the ten-year conflagration. the historic tavern burned to the ground in a horrible conflagration
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.
These conflagrations sparked after an immense heat wave brought record-breaking 110-degree temperatures to the Los Angeles Basin. Jake Stern, Outside Online, 11 Sep. 2024 The opening images plunge us into a roaring conflagration, but Yorick Le Saux’s camera is mesmerized not by burning buildings but by a rogue fire hose, whose high-pressure spray nearly defeats the workers trying to wrest it under control. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024 There is also a mounting conflict with Iran — which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah — that threatens to drag the region into an even more dangerous conflagration. Melanie Lidman and Tia Goldenberg, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024 The conflict has steadily ratcheted up to the brink of all-out war, raising fears of a region-wide conflagration. Kareem Chehayeb, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for conflagration 

Word History

Etymology

Latin conflagration-, conflagratio, from conflagrare — see conflagrant

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conflagration was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near conflagration

Cite this Entry

“Conflagration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conflagration. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

conflagration

noun
con·​fla·​gra·​tion ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən How to pronounce conflagration (audio)
: a large disastrous fire

More from Merriam-Webster on conflagration

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!