bottle rocket

noun

: a firework typically consisting of a cylindrical case that is partly filled with combustible material and fastened to a guiding stick which may be placed in a bottle to control the direction of the rocket's launch

Examples of bottle rocket 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.
But the booming fireworks are worthless if too many bottle rockets end up in your neighbor’s yard. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025 Between the crackle of sparklers and the whistle of bottle rockets, another rhythm pushed through the night — a deep, steady bass line, thudding like a second heartbeat from somewhere down the block. Raphael Romero Ruiz, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025 Indianapolis police chief Chris Bailey said some people were seen doing drugs in public and launching bottle rockets at pedestrians. Matthew Cupelli, IndyStar, 7 July 2025 According to the release, injuries were cased by smoke bombs, crackling balls, bottle rockets, sparklers and mortars. Kansas City Star, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for bottle rocket

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bottle rocket was in 1939

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bottle rocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bottle%20rocket. Accessed 11 Sep. 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!