Fireman Meaning
/ˈfaɪɹmən/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounSomeone (especially one who is male) who is skilled in the work of fighting fire.
nounSomeone (especially male) who is skilled in the work of fighting fire.
Sentence Examples
The fire was put out at the cost of a fireman's life.
The brave fireman rescued a boy from the burning house.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
A quick-thinking ____ rescued the child from the smoke-filled apartment building.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ quickly connected the hose to the hydrant and began spraying water onto the roof.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *péh₂wr̥ Proto-Germanic *fōr Proto-West Germanic *fuir Old English fȳr Middle English fyr English fire Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Middle English man Middle English -man English -man English fireman From fire + -man.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"By February 1944 there were over two thousand women employed at the Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company [...]. There were also female firemen on almost every shipyard crane [...]."
— 1993, Nancy F. Cott, editor, History of Women in the United States. Historical Articles on Women's Lives and Activities. 15. Women and War, page 432:
"No grass grew under a train when the engineer let Fireman McLash take the throttle."
— 1938, Xavier Herbert, chapter IX, in Capricornia, page 140:
"A few keen enginemen, such as Driver Rosewarne of York, could coax good work out of them when engaged in heavy East Coast express service, but to most footplate crews, especially firemen, they were rather heartbreaking and backbreaking machines, and gradually were relegated to secondary or fast goods duties."
— 1949 May and June, R. A. H. Weight, “A Short-Lived Pacific Class”, in Railway Magazine, page 196:
"Driver G. A. Rowett, of the North Eastern Region's Neville Hill shed, now joined the locomotive as pilotman, and actually took over the regulator, Fireman Wheddon continuing to fire."
— 1958 December 26, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 852:
"I was elated to pass because there were times when I did not think I was physically capable. It is quite rare for a woman to become a fireman."
— 2013 August 24, Sophie Wyllie, quoting Tina Pinney, “Volunteer Tina steams ahead and becomes qualified fireman on North Norfolk Railway”, in Eastern Daily Press, →ISSN:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A quick-thinking ____ rescued the child from the smoke-filled apartment building.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ quickly connected the hose to the hydrant and began spraying water onto the roof.