fireman
UK: ˈfaɪəmən | US: ˈfaɪərmən
n. a person whose job is to extinguish fires and rescue people; a firefighter
n. (historical) a person who tended the fire in a steam engine or furnace
The word "fireman" is a straightforward compound of "fire" (Old English fȳr, meaning "flame" or "combustion") and "man" (Old English mann, meaning "person"). It emerged in the early 17th century to describe someone responsible for managing fires, initially in industrial contexts (e.g., steam engines). By the 19th century, it became synonymous with "firefighter" as organized fire brigades developed. The term reflects a literal combination of the two core concepts: fire + human agency.
The fireman rushed into the burning building to save the trapped family.
In the 1800s, a fireman’s primary duty was to maintain steam locomotive boilers.
Modern firemen undergo rigorous training in emergency medical care.
She admired her grandfather, who served as a volunteer fireman for 30 years.
The fireman used a hose to douse the flames before they spread.