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

Wilson is seen in footage posted to social media jumping around and pumping his fists in the air during the high-energy song, which featured what appeared to be pyrotechnic effects. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024

Under Tim Dang’s intrepid direction, East West Players’ revival of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s mind-blowingly ambitious 1976 musical went off with pyrotechnic brilliance. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Noun

An audience of thousands in their Golf Wang Converse sneakers, IGOR costumes, and festival merch rushed the stage as a warning message notifying the crowd of pending pyrotechnics and strobe lights flashed across the screen. —Jason Chandler, VIBE.com, 19 Dec. 2024

State of play: See the pyrotechnics at 4296 N. 500 West in Pleasant View. Props, lights, projections, fire and a 20-foot Santa accompany projections and music. —Erin Alberty, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024

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