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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

fireman

/ˈfaɪɹmən/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:25
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What does fireman mean?

noun

  1. Someone (especially male) who is skilled in the work of fighting fire.
  2. A person (originally a man) who keeps the fire going underneath a steam boiler (originally, shoveling coal by hand), particularly on a railroad locomotive or steamship.
  3. An assistant on any locomotive, whether steam-powered or not.
More meanings (3)

noun

  1. A relief pitcher (reflecting the figurative analogy of rescuing the situation).
  2. (historical) A safety inspector in coal mines.

proper noun

  1. A surname.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈfaɪɹmən/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

One man who attended here a few years ago was a fireman in a large factory, stoking boilers all day long.
Benjamin Nathaniel BogueStammering, its cause and cureProject Gutenberg ebook #4256
The engine which the two brothers managed was a very small one, and the master and apprentice served for engineman and fireman.
Samuel SmilesIndustrial Biography: Iron Workers and Tool MakersProject Gutenberg ebook #404
More book examples (3)
Nothing better offering, he was set to aid the fireman, to work about the basement, to do anything and everything that might offer.
Theodore DreiserSister Carrie: A NovelProject Gutenberg ebook #233
On other occasions the fireman handled blazing wood and burning substances, and walked during five minutes upon an iron grating placed over flaming fagots.
Harry HoudiniMiracle Mongers and Their Methods A Complete Exposé of the Modus Operandi of Fire Eaters, Heat Resisters, Poison Eaters, Venomous Reptile Defiers, Sword Swallowers, Human Ostriches, Strong Men, Etc.Project Gutenberg ebook #435
Without saying a word, he took aim at the fireman, and, a second later, the helmet, smashed by a bullet, rattled noisily into the street.
Victor HugoLes MisérablesTranslated by Isabel Florence HapgoodProject Gutenberg ebook #135