pyrotechnic

1 of 2

adjective

py·​ro·​tech·​nic ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-nik How to pronounce pyrotechnic (audio)
variants or less commonly pyrotechnical
: of or relating to pyrotechnics
pyrotechnically adverb

pyrotechnic

2 of 2

noun

1
a
b
: any of various similar devices (as for igniting a rocket or producing an explosion)
2
: a combustible substance used in a firework

Did you know?

You've read about funeral pyres, and you may even have survived a pyromaniac ("insane fire-starting") stage in your youth, so you might have guessed that pyr means "fire" in Greek. Pyrotechnic refers literally to fireworks, but always seems to be used for something else—something just as exciting, explosive, dazzling, sparkling, or brilliant. The performances of sports stars and dancers are often described as pyrotechnic, and a critic may describe the pyrotechnics of a rock guitarist's licks or a film's camerawork. A pyrotechnic performance is always impressive, but the word occasionally suggests something more like "flashy" or "flamboyant".

Examples of pyrotechnic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Aerial fireworks require a pyrotechnic permit under Hawaiian state law. Tyler Kingkade, NBC News, 2 Jan. 2025 The sky lit up at 9 p.m. Tuesday in Old Sacramento on New Year’s Eve as the city celebrated the coming new year with a display of light and pyrotechnic effects. Sacramento Bee, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
Before the game was over and before the Chiefs had put more points on the board, due to all the scoring, the Chiefs’ pyrotechnics team ran out of fireworks to blast into the air for touchdown celebrations. The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2025 As the world’s leading fireworks provider, French pyrotechnics company Etienne Lacroix ships fireworks globally and has supported events such as the Burj Khalifa Grand Opening Fireworks Show in Dubai and Bastille Day, France’s national holiday that is celebrated on July 14 each year. Jeanette Rohr, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pyrotechnic 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French pyrotechnique, from Greek pyr fire + technē art — more at technical

First Known Use

Adjective

1629, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pyrotechnic was in 1629

Dictionary Entries Near pyrotechnic

Cite this Entry

“Pyrotechnic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyrotechnic. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!