bottle rocket

noun

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of bottle rocket

: 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

Recent Examples of bottle rocket from the Web

Many of us have bought bottle rockets to make our own fireworks show, preparing to annoy our neighbors with each flick of our lighters.

— otis r. taylor jr., SFChronicle.com, "Fireworks fascination can never be defused, so keep your ears plugged," 9 July 2018
While regulations exist on the books, many continue making powerful firecrackers and bottle rockets and selling them to the public.

— Time, "Fireworks Explosion Kills 24 People, Injures 49 Near Mexico City," 6 July 2018
This year, bottle rockets and sky rockets are legal in New Hampshire for the first time since 1992.

— j.d. capelouto and marek mazurek, BostonGlobe.com, "Across N.H. border, business is booming at fireworks stores — with shoppers from Mass.," 3 July 2018
This includes aerial devices including rockets and bottle rockets, helicopters and aerial spinners, roman candles, mines and pretty much everything in between.

— sarah brookbank, Cincinnati.com, "Lighting Fourth of July fireworks at home? See what's legal in Ohio, Kentucky," 2 July 2018
Fireworks are banned statewide, but the city also bans sparklers, bottle rockets and more.

— katherine rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "A (very) short history of Fourth of July fireworks and how it conflicts with laws in Chicago, suburbs," 29 June 2018
The laws, however, are different in Southern Indiana where bottle rockets, Roman candles, fire crackers, sparklers, ground spinners, cone fountains, wheels and cylindrical fountains are legal.

— kate talerico, The Courier-Journal, "The five things you need to know before you hit the road for July 4," 28 June 2018
Its intricately decorated Firecracker Cake, available through July 4, is shaped like a big bottle rocket and available in a variety of flavors.

— jay jones, latimes.com, "Fourth of July starts early in Las Vegas. Check out these parties, parades and fireworks," 27 June 2018
While walking around the block midday on the Fourth of July, a car passed us, and a young man leaned out the window and shot a bottle rocket at us.

— cathy m. rosenthal, courant.com, "Pet World: Helping Dogs And Cats Survive The Fourth Of July," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bottle rocket.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.