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
If the object is larger, like a boulder, and brighter, it’s called a bolide or a fireball.
—Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
The Lyrids are known for producing bright, fast-moving meteors that tend to lack persistent trails, but have the potential to spawn spectacular fireballs as larger chunks of Comet Thatcher smash into Earth's atmosphere.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Other meteor sightings in 2026 The latest meteor sighting comes after other fireballs have been spotted in other parts of the country, including on the West Coast, in the Midwest and in Texas.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
The images that followed showed a fireball and smoke rising from the building after it was hit.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fireball
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Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
The Lyrids are known for producing bright, fast-moving meteors that tend to lack persistent trails, but have the potential to spawn spectacular fireballs as larger chunks of Comet Thatcher smash into Earth's atmosphere.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Other meteor sightings in 2026 The latest meteor sighting comes after other fireballs have been spotted in other parts of the country, including on the West Coast, in the Midwest and in Texas.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2026
The images that followed showed a fireball and smoke rising from the building after it was hit.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 8 Apr. 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 15 Apr. 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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