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

Macy’s worked closely with its pyrotechnic partners over the last year to source fireworks for the retailer’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display in New York City months ahead of the show, according to a person familiar with this year’s planning. —Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 3 July 2025

Residents in Esparto and some in Madison remained under an evacuation order as of Wednesday afternoon due to the burning pyrotechnic materials. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025

Noun

While many cities and towns, big and small, celebrate Independence Day with high-profile pyrotechnics, Americans also have a long-standing tradition of buying their own fireworks. —Kevin Quinitchett, USA Today, 4 July 2025

The fireworks show at Lake Cunningham in San Jose was canceled following an explosion at a pyrotechnics facility in Yolo County that destroyed the fireworks intended for that show. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 3 July 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

Rhymes for pyrotechnic

• polytechnic
• technic