fire drill

noun

1. a practice drill for a company of firefighters, the crew of a ship, etc., to train them in their duties in case of fire.
2. a drill for pupils in a school, employees in a factory, etc., to train them in the manner of exit to be followed in case of fire.

fire drill

noun

1. a rehearsal of duties or escape procedures to be followed in case of fire

Word History and Origins

Origin of fire drill¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Otherwise playing with an unfamiliar set of receivers “looks like a really bad fire drill.”

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors said Boylan failed to have a night patrol or conduct fire drills as required by law.

From BBC

“When it comes to fire drills, we are not filling the halls with smoke and turning up the thermostat,” he said.

From Seattle Times

It was a chance meeting on a bench outside their building during a fire drill that led Harvey and Lee to realize the complementary nature of their work.

From Science Daily

At school, in the 1980s, Moss and his classmates participated in rapture drills, akin to earthquake or fire drills.

From New York Times