fire drill

IPA/ˈfaɪə drɪl/
IPA/ˈfaɪər drɪl/

fire drill — noun

1. a practice in which people who work or study in a building follow a planned esca

1.nounB1
Definition

a practice in which people who work or study in a building follow a planned escape route, as if there were a real fire, so that everyone learns what to do in an emergency

Example

Sayaka's school holds a fire drill every term so students know the fastest way outside.

fire drill + every term (scheduled practice)

Karim joined his first fire drill at the factory on his second day.

first fire drill at a new workplace

Common collocations
  • hold a fire drill
  • conduct a fire drill
  • take part in a fire drill
  • during a fire drill
  • annual fire drill
Synonyms
  • evacuation drill

    more formal; used mainly in official safety documents and notices

  • fire practice

    less common; used in informal or school settings, especially in British English

Usage Note

Often used with the verbs 'hold', 'conduct', or 'take part in'. The compound noun 'fire drill' is usually singular even when referring to a recurring event.

Etymology

First known use

1861

1861, in the meaning defined above