fire escape
noun
: a device for escape from a burning building
especially : a metal stairway attached to the outside of a building
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Crimo allegedly climbed a fire escape to access the roof of a building, and then allegedly fired off more than 70 rounds during the assault. 
Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 Authorities say the shooter was firing from the top of a building, having climbed up a fire escape to this perch; later, law enforcement officials recovered a rifle from the rooftop that had been left behind. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 7 July 2022 Authorities say during the Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park, Crimo climbed a fire escape and opened fire from a rooftop into the crowd below using an AR-15-style rifle. Carlie Porterfield, Forbes, 6 July 2022 The police questioned him at length in 1993 after a man fell to his death from the fire escape of a Los Angeles apartment where Mr. Caan was staying. New York Times, 7 July 2022 Once, Davis was too scared to jump from the fire escape stairs and stood there, frozen, after the rest of her family had escaped. Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2022 Kat can learn to empty a litter box without tossing it off her fire escape. Greg Gutfeld, Fox News, 24 June 2022 That could be your backyard, a little park, a walking path, a rooftop, or fire escape near a tree. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 8 June 2022 In the brief, 19-second teaser, Rocky and RiRi are seen hanging out on a fire escape and walking amid swarms of paparazzi and flashing camera lights. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 4 May 2022 See More
Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 8 July 2022 Authorities say the shooter was firing from the top of a building, having climbed up a fire escape to this perch; later, law enforcement officials recovered a rifle from the rooftop that had been left behind. Catherine Garcia, The Week, 7 July 2022 Authorities say during the Fourth of July parade in downtown Highland Park, Crimo climbed a fire escape and opened fire from a rooftop into the crowd below using an AR-15-style rifle. Carlie Porterfield, Forbes, 6 July 2022 The police questioned him at length in 1993 after a man fell to his death from the fire escape of a Los Angeles apartment where Mr. Caan was staying. New York Times, 7 July 2022 Once, Davis was too scared to jump from the fire escape stairs and stood there, frozen, after the rest of her family had escaped. Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2022 Kat can learn to empty a litter box without tossing it off her fire escape. Greg Gutfeld, Fox News, 24 June 2022 That could be your backyard, a little park, a walking path, a rooftop, or fire escape near a tree. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 8 June 2022 In the brief, 19-second teaser, Rocky and RiRi are seen hanging out on a fire escape and walking amid swarms of paparazzi and flashing camera lights. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 4 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1725, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
fire escape
noun
: a stairway that provides a way of escape from a building in case of fire