How do you use the word "firewall" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "firewall" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "firewall": A firewall will guarantee Internet security. I need to configure this server with an appropriate firewall system.

Firewall Meaning

/ˈfaɪə.wɔəl/

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread of fire between or through buildings, structures, electrical substation transformers, or within an aircraft or vehicle.

nounThe software that monitors traffic in and out of a private network or a personal computer and allows or blocks such traffic depending on its perceived threat.

Sentence Examples

A firewall will guarantee Internet security.

I need to configure this server with an appropriate firewall system.

CEFR Practice Quiz

The company installed a strong computer ____ to prevent unauthorized access to its network data.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

You should install a strong ____ to protect your computer from unauthorized access and malicious software attacks.

Word Origin & History

From fire + wall. Compare West Frisian brânmuorre, Dutch brandmuur, German Brandmauer, Feuermauer, Swedish brandvägg, brandmur, Icelandic eldvegg. The verb sense for using maximum power or acceleration comes from the engine's firewall being the limit of forward movement of the throttle controls on many simpler vehicles; thus, to get the maximum engine output, one would push the throttle levers or pedal all the way to the firewall. The politics sense is a calque of German Brandmauer.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"The book explains this in Adam Hochberg's (@adamhochberg) chapter discussing the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism's concerns related to non-profit news organizations: donor transparency, editorial independence, the firewall between journalism and fundraising, and conflicts of interest." — 2017 July 6, Jeremy Harris Lipschultz, Social Media Communication: Concepts, Practices, Data, Law and Ethics, Taylor & Francis, →ISBN, page 275:

""Honest government must be preceded by honest negotiations," Mr Kickl said when Austria's president tasked him with beginning coalition talks after the centrist firewall failed." — 2025 January 12, James Crisp, Meike Eijsberg, “The great firewall keeping out the hard-Right collapses across Europe”, in Chris Evans, editor, The Daily Telegraph, London: Telegraph Media Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 12 Jan 2025:

"Other firewalls have fallen around Europe, including in the Netherlands, Hungary and Italy. In Austria, the hard-right Freedom Party has been part of federal coalitions and appeared set to lead its next government, before negotiations with a center-right party collapsed this week." — 2025 February 14, Jim Tankersley, Steven Erlanger, David E. Sanger, “Vance Tells Europeans to Stop Shunning Parties Deemed Extreme”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 15 Feb 2025:

"Most of the time, German parties come to power in states and nationally by forming coalitions. As long as the firewall holds, the only way the AfD can take power is by winning a straight-up majority. Which is what it seems poised to do in the September elections." — 2026 January 30, Marc Felix Serrao, “Germany's Far Right Is on the Threshold of Power. This Man Is Leading the Charge.”, in Politico, archived from the original on 31 Jan 2026:

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