What does refire mean?
Refire means to fire again, either by discharging a particular weapon or shot a second time or by resuming fire after a pause. It can also mean to return fire in response to an enemy. The verb is chiefly associated with military language and technical descriptions of artillery, missiles, and other weapons systems. For example, a battery may “refire the guns” after reloading, while a unit may “refire on the enemy” after receiving orders to resume an engagement. Although the prefixed form “re-” makes the basic meaning straightforward, refire is more specialized than the general terms reopen, restart, or repeat. It is particularly useful when the context involves weapons or military action, where precision about repeated or resumed fire matters.
verbTo fire a weapon, missile, or shots again; to resume firing; or to return fire.
- To fire or discharge a weapon, missile, or shots again.
- To resume firing after a pause.
- To return fire in response to an attack.
"The artillery unit waited for orders to refire the guns."
"The crew quickly reloaded and refired the missile."
"After the brief ceasefire, the batteries refired on the approaching column."
In military language, a single word can mean everything from shooting a gun again to answering an enemy's fire.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of refire
Refire is formed in English by combining the prefix re-, meaning “again,” with fire, meaning to discharge a weapon or shots. Fire itself descends through Middle English from Old English fȳr, meaning the flame or fiery substance that later gave rise to the verb meaning “to shoot or discharge.” Refire developed as a prefixed military and technical verb expressing renewed or returned fire.
Related word forms
How refire is actually used
Chiefly a military and firearms term. In modern general usage it is uncommon, though it remains familiar in military histories, technical writing, and discussions of weapons systems.