fireball
noun
fire·ball
ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbȯl 
1
: a ball of fire
also
: something resembling such a ball
… the primordial fireball associated with the beginning of the universe. —
Scientific American
Scientific American 2
: a brilliant meteor that may trail bright sparks
3
: the highly luminous cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion
4
: a highly energetic person
Examples of fireball in a Sentence
The house erupted into a fireball.
what this club needs is a fireball who will bring some sorely needed energy and enthusiasm
Recent Examples on the Web
Video released by the military on social media shows a small vessel floating in the ocean before it’s hit and engulfed in a fireball.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
But things went sideways quickly, with the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36 erupting in a fireball.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
People in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania reported seeing the fireball to the American Meteor Society around that time.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Another group was expected to launch on a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket next month, but that vehicle experienced a catastrophic event last night (May 28) during testing at Blue's launch pad on Cape Canaveral Space Force, which resulted in a massive explosion and fireball, and complete loss.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fireball
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Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
But things went sideways quickly, with the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36 erupting in a fireball.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2026
People in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania reported seeing the fireball to the American Meteor Society around that time.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 30 May 2026
Another group was expected to launch on a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket next month, but that vehicle experienced a catastrophic event last night (May 28) during testing at Blue's launch pad on Cape Canaveral Space Force, which resulted in a massive explosion and fireball, and complete loss.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fireball
Cite this Entry
“Fireball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fireball. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fireball
noun
fire·ball
-ˌbȯl
1
: a ball of fire
2
: a very bright meteor
3
: the glowing cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion
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