firing Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
   fire.
   
   • hold your fire until you can see the whites of their eyes
   • they retreated in the face of withering enemy fire
2. noun the act of discharging a gun
   discharge; firing off.
   
3. noun the act of setting something on fire
   kindling; lighting; ignition; inflammation.
   
4. noun the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)
   sacking; dismissal; sack; liberation; release; discharge; dismission.
   
5. verb start firing a weapon
   fire; open fire.
   
6. verb cause to go off
   fire; discharge.
   
   • fire a gun
   • fire a bullet
7. verb bake in a kiln so as to harden
   fire.
   
   • fire pottery
8. verb terminate the employment of; discharge from an office or position
   give the axe; send away; give the sack; fire; dismiss; terminate; displace; sack; give notice; force out; can.
   
   • The boss fired his secretary today
   • The company terminated 25% of its workers
9. verb go off or discharge
   fire; discharge; go off.
   
   • The gun fired
10. verb drive out or away by or as if by fire
    fire.
    
    • The soldiers were fired
    • Surrender fires the cold skepticism
11. verb call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
    raise; fire; enkindle; elicit; arouse; evoke; kindle; provoke.
    
    • arouse pity
    • raise a smile
    • evoke sympathy
12. verb destroy by fire
    fire; burn; burn down.
    
    • They burned the house and his diaries
13. verb provide with fuel
    fuel; fire.
    
    • Oil fires the furnace

WordNet