pyrotechnic

1 of 2

adjective

py·​ro·​tech·​nic ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-nik 

variants or less commonly pyrotechnical

ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-ni-kəl 

: of or relating to pyrotechnics

pyrotechnically

ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

pyrotechnic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: firework

b

: any of various similar devices (as for igniting a rocket or producing an explosion)

2

: a combustible substance used in a firework

Did you know?

You've read about funeral pyres, and you may even have survived a pyromaniac ("insane fire-starting") stage in your youth, so you might have guessed that pyr means "fire" in Greek. Pyrotechnic refers literally to fireworks, but always seems to be used for something else—something just as exciting, explosive, dazzling, sparkling, or brilliant. The performances of sports stars and dancers are often described as pyrotechnic, and a critic may describe the pyrotechnics of a rock guitarist's licks or a film's camerawork. A pyrotechnic performance is always impressive, but the word occasionally suggests something more like "flashy" or "flamboyant".

Examples of pyrotechnic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Miami Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, whose home stadium is just across the parking lot, was punctuating a 7-0 victory over the Gwinnett Stripers with a postgame pyrotechnic display. —Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Each artist turned in professional performances on a stage surrounded by enormous screens and pyrotechnic displays that mirrored the presentation of the race itself. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025

Noun

Both artists tried their best to engage the hefty crowd, and mostly succeeded with movement, strong vocals, and a mesh of creative screen animations, pyrotechnics, and lighting. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025

Disneyland Abu Dhabi promises to be very un-Disney — contemporary, modern and cutting edge The water show on DCA’s Paradise Bay employs high-definition digital projections on mist screens combined with 2,000 fountains, lights, lasers, fog and pyrotechnics. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French pyrotechnique, from Greek pyr fire + technē art — more at technical

First Known Use

Adjective

1629, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pyrotechnic

• polytechnic
• technic