# firing

/ˈfaɪɝɹɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈaɪəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/firing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. shooting a weapon

noun · CEFR B2

the act of shooting a gun or other weapon.

For teachers: the discharge of a firearm or other projectile weapon.

- The sudden firing of a gun in the distance startled the birds.
- The rapid firing of artillery could be heard for miles, echoing through the valley long after the initial engagement had ended.

### 2. dismissal from a job

noun · CEFR B2

the act of telling someone they no longer have a job, usually because of bad work.

For teachers: the termination of an individual's employment, typically due to poor performance or misconduct.

- After the firing of the manager, the company looked for a replacement.
- The sudden firing of the chief executive led to a sharp decline in the company's stock price as investors grew concerned about stability.

### 3. heating pottery

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the process of using high heat to make clay hard and turn it into pottery.

For teachers: the process of applying heat to ceramic materials in a kiln to achieve structural hardening or glazing.

- The pottery needs a second firing to make the colorful glaze shine.
- During the initial firing, the clay undergoes a chemical transformation that renders it permanently hard and water-resistant.

## Examples

- The sudden firing of the manager surprised everyone in the office.
- Following the data breach, the board of directors demanded the immediate firing of the security chief.
- The rapid firing of the pistons created a rhythmic vibration that echoed throughout the garage as the mechanic tuned the vintage racing engine.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.