pyrotechnic

1 of 2

adjective

py·​ro·​tech·​nic ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-nik 

variants or less commonly pyrotechnical

ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-ni-kəl 

: of or relating to pyrotechnics

pyrotechnically

ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

pyrotechnic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: firework

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

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

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