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
Over 100 people died during Great White’s 2003 concert at the Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island, including the band’s guitarist, during a pyrotechnic display gone wrong. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2025 In 2003, a fire killed 100 people attending a Great White concert in the Rhode Island venue Station after a pyrotechnic display ignited foam lining the club’s walls. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
Although the investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, videos showed sparkling pyrotechnics on the stage hitting Club Pulse’s ceiling and igniting the blaze as a band played. TIME, 17 Mar. 2025 The fire was caused by sparks from pyrotechnics used during a concert at the nightclub, where the local pop group ADN performed, the minister confirmed, per North Macedonian newspaper Večer and the Associated Press. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 16 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pyrotechnic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyrotechnic. Accessed 29 Mar. 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!