Military weapon fire used as a defensive measure, intended to prevent an enemy force from moving, shooting, etc., while one's own troops are engaged in an operation.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in The New York Times.
Definition of suppressive fire in US English:
suppressive fire
noun
Military weapon fire used as a defensive measure, intended to prevent an enemy force from moving, shooting, etc., while one's own troops are engaged in an operation.