1. close combat between military aircraft
Usage: military; aviation
2. fights between dogs, especially as illegal entertainment
Usage: often illegal
3. fierce contests or struggles between people or groups
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The pilot survived three dogfights during the war.
• Modern fighter jets are designed for high-speed dogfights.
• Police raided the illegal dogfights in the warehouse.
• The election turned into a series of political dogfights.
• Corporate dogfights over market share intensified.
• Historical accounts describe aerial dogfights over Europe.
• The candidates engaged in verbal dogfights during debates.