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

At least two people reported injuries from the falling rocks, which turned out to be clay fireworks caps sent skyward during the detonation of 50,000 pyrotechnic devices. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024

And Dastmalchian’s performance is ultimately too interesting and layered to deserve a finale that, for all its pyrotechnic Sturm und Drang, feels so shallow. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2024

Noun

Halloween remains popular in Ireland to this day, with a number of bewitching celebrations, elaborate parades and state-of-the-art pyrotechnics shows throughout the country in late October and early November. —Brittany Anas, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Tarsem was warned not to set off any pyrotechnics because they might be perceived as bombs by one of the countries. —Leila Jordan, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 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