firewall
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.software or hardware that protects a computer network by blocking dangerous traffic from the internet.
n.a security system consisting of software or hardware that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
Simple“You should update your firewall to protect your computer from the latest viruses.”
In context“The corporate firewall blocked the suspicious connection attempt before the malware could infiltrate the internal server.”
UsageOften used with the verbs 'set up', 'configure', or 'bypass'.
Synonymssecurity barrierfilter - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a wall made of special materials that stops a fire from moving from one part of a building to another.
n.a fireproof barrier designed to prevent the spread of fire between or through buildings, structures, or vehicles.
Simple“The warehouse was saved because the firewall stopped the flames from reaching the office.”
In context“Building regulations require a reinforced firewall between the garage and the living quarters to ensure resident safety in the event of a vehicle fire.”
Synonymsfire partitionbarrier - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a rule or agreement that keeps two groups apart to prevent a conflict of interest or bad influence.
n.a metaphorical barrier or ethical wall established to prevent communication or cooperation between entities, often to avoid conflicts of interest.
Simple“The company created a firewall between the two departments to keep client information private.”
In context“The mainstream parties maintained a political firewall, refusing to enter into any coalition agreements with the extremist faction.”
Synonymsethical wallbuffer - 04 C1 Advanced
v.to protect a system using a firewall or to block a specific connection.
v.to protect a network or device with a firewall; to isolate a segment of a system for security purposes.
Simple“The IT department decided to firewall the sensitive database from the rest of the office network.”
In context“By firewalling the guest Wi-Fi, the administrator ensured that visitors could not access the company's internal files.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to use the maximum power of an engine or to drive as fast as possible.
v.to operate an engine at maximum throttle or to accelerate a vehicle to its limit.
Simple“He decided to firewall the car on the open highway to see how fast it could go.”
In context“The pilot had to firewall the engines to clear the ridge during the emergency ascent.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is highly informal and specific to automotive or aviation contexts; most learners will only encounter the computing sense.
SynonymsAntonymsdeceleratebrake
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.