English dictionary

firewall Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the plural of firewall?

The plural of firewall is firewalls.

Q: What is the past tense of firewall?

The past tense of firewall is firewalled. The present participle is firewalling.

/ˈfaɪə.wɔəl/

What Does Firewall Mean?

As a noun, firewall means A fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread of fire between or through buildings, structures, electrical substation transformers, or within an aircraft or vehicle. It is also used to mean The software that monitors traffic in and out of a private network or a personal computer and allows or blocks such traffic depending on its perceived threat. As a verb, it means To protect with a firewall. As a verb, it means (motor vehicles or aircraft) To use maximum acceleration.

Firewall at a Glance

Part of speech	noun, verb
Pronunciation	//ˈfaɪə.wɔəl//
Syllables	1
Plural	firewalls
Verb forms	firewalls, firewalling, firewalled

Firewall Definition (Noun)

A fireproof barrier used to prevent the spread of fire between or through buildings, structures, electrical substation transformers, or within an aircraft or vehicle.
The software that monitors traffic in and out of a private network or a personal computer and allows or blocks such traffic depending on its perceived threat.
A hypothetical phenomenon where an observer falling into a black hole encounters high-energy quanta at or near the event horizon.
An ethical wall; an organizational or legal separation between two entities that might otherwise cause conflicts of interest.
An unwritten agreement among major political parties to refuse to govern or cooperate with national conservative and ultranationalist parties.

Firewall as a Verb

To protect with a firewall.
To block with a firewall.
To use maximum engine power or acceleration.

Verb

(motor vehicles or aircraft) To use maximum acceleration.

Synonyms of Firewall

The source does not list synonyms for this entry.

Firewall synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Firewall

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Firewall in a Sentence

No example sentences are available for this entry.

Word Forms & Grammar

firewall (plural firewalls)

firewall (third-person singular simple present firewalls, present participle firewalling, simple past and past participle firewalled)

Origin of Firewall

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.

How to Pronounce Firewall

The standard pronunciation of firewall is //ˈfaɪə.wɔəl//, spoken in 1 syllable.

Firewall: Your Questions Answered

Is firewall a noun or a verb?

Firewall is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is the plural of firewall?

The plural of firewall is firewalls.

What is the past tense of firewall?

The past tense of firewall is firewalled. The present participle is firewalling.