pyro

1 of 2

noun (1)

py·​ro ˈpī-(ˌ)rō 

plural pyro or pyros

1

informal : a device (such as a firework) that involves the combustion of explosive or flammable components : pyrotechnic

A Celtic fan … who set off a pyro outside a stadium has been banned from every football match in the UK for 18 months …

—Alan Richardson

One difficulty when dealing with this kind of pyro work is that a lot of events are unpredictable.

—Michael McAlister, quoted in American Cinematographer

—usually used in plural

Both sets of fans set off pyros before the game, which engulfed the stadium in smoke …

—The Daily Mirror (United Kingdom)

Over nearly three hours, he pulled out every trick … including pyro, lasers, levitating stages, confetti cannons …

—Stuart Berman

2

informal : the use of pyrotechnics

The stunts are spectacular; the fights are well choreographed; and the pyro is on point.

—Bob Grimm

… the pyro was scaled back … likely because of the unique stage setup.

—Brian McCollum

Following that concert, when Speedway approached us to do a pyrotechnics display … we actually agreed to it on the same parameters of what the AC/DC pyros were …

—Paul Nesbit, quoted in The New Zealand Herald

pyro

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural pyros

informal

: a person who has an uncontrollable impulse to start fires : pyromaniac

Certain colors only exist in fire—he discovered this early on, as a kid, a little pyro with his father's stolen lighter.

—David Gilbert

Examples of pyro in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

So then pyro was part of our shtick. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026

Creed Creed’s debut was anchored by pyro, prayer and nonstop singalongs. —Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026

For more fun, catch Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live at State Farm Arena, which promises more action and pyro effects this year. —Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026

For years, Tyler’s concerts had been spectacles, and the pyro-laden Chromakopia was no different. —Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 19 Jan. 2026

Toward the peak of the song, pyro explosions go off, timed to the exact second that McRae and her backup dancers all toss their hands into the air. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2025

Omega arrived with his signature pyro, catching the attention of those in attendance. —Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2025

There wasn’t any over the top lighting, pyro or elaborate stage production, and more importantly there wasn’t a litany of backing tracks to muddy up the organic rock energy that was emanating from the stage. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

The New York Mets were hot on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves – so much so that the crew at Citi Field used up all of its pyro for the home run theatrics. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for pyrotechnic entry 2

Noun (2)

short for pyromaniac

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1987, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1971, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pyro-

combining form

: fire : heat

Etymology

Combining form

derived from Greek pyr- "fire"