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 Available over the counter as a nasal spray, it is considered the fire extinguisher of the opioid epidemic, for use in an emergency, but just one tool in a prevention strategy. Rae Ellen Bichell, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Traditional fire extinguishers found in homes also do not work against lithium-ion battery fires, the department says. Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 Fentanyl was smuggled into Los Angeles from Mexico inside of fire extinguishers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, which charged 17 people in the scheme. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Naseem disputed that any of the violations under the prior landlord, including broken fire extinguishers, were not addressed, and said the building’s fire alarm system was in working order on the day of the blaze. Danny Nguyen, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023 Know when and how to use a fire extinguisher, and educate yourself on its proper maintenance. Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2024 Those trucks carried fire extinguishers filled with fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, concealed by scrap metal, the DOJ says. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Does the plane have all the necessary safety equipment, such as oxygen masks, life jackets and fire extinguishers? Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024 Does the plane have all the necessary safety equipment, such as oxygen masks, life jackets, and fire extinguishers? Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fire extinguisher.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near fire extinguisher

Cite this Entry

“Fire extinguisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fire%20extinguisher. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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