pyrotechnic

adjective

py·ro·tech·nic | \ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-nik

variants: or less commonly pyrotechnical \ˌpī-rə-ˈtek-ni-kəl

Definition of pyrotechnic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of or relating to pyrotechnics

pyrotechnic

noun

Definition of pyrotechnic (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : firework

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

2 : a combustible substance used in a firework

Other Words from pyrotechnic Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about pyrotechnic

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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

Fire prevention personnel such as Michael and Wun attend pyrotechnic training at least once a year to keep up with new technology and codes. — Susan Hoffman, latimes.com, "Newport’s fireworks safety specialists get the Fourth ready to fly," 3 July 2018 The 42nd annual Macy’s 4th of July firework show combines a pyrotechnic spectacle -- which will be Macy’s largest firework display since the Millennial Celebration of 2000 -- with spectacular performances. — Heran Mamo, Billboard, "Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and More Set For Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show," 2 July 2018 But after a blistering, pyrotechnic performance, Mr. Brown placed second. — Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, "Justin Brown Is a Monster on Drums. Now He’s a Bandleader, Too.," 27 June 2018 Unfortunately, the pyrotechnic technician sent to handle our event was inexperienced and didn’t have adequate help. — Stephen Hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Apopka mayor apologizes for fireworks cancellation, promises free Labor Day show," 6 July 2018 The explosions occurred in Tultepec, a town in Mexico state known as the country’s pyrotechnic capital and the site of a blast that claimed 42 lives in 2016. — Kate Linthicum, latimes.com, "At least 22 killed in fireworks explosions in a Mexican town with a history of deadly blasts," 5 July 2018 That’s not the case for the pyrotechnic bouquets that burst in the air, over and over again, every year in early July. — Otis R. Taylor Jr., SFChronicle.com, "Fireworks fascination can never be defused, so keep your ears plugged," 9 July 2018 Part of the engineering of the show is making sure that the shells launch high enough that all the pyrotechnic reactions take place before the pieces reach the ground. — Kevin Davenport, idahostatesman, "O say can you see? The science behind the booms and blooms of Independence Day fireworks," 3 July 2018 Philadelphia resident Rasaan Urquhart has a message for anyone looking to celebrate Independence Day with some pyrotechnic pizazz: Enjoy those fireworks from a distance. — Amanda Macmillan, Health.com, "This 25-Year-Old's Warning About Fireworks Safety Is Going Viral After a Celebration Left Him Nearly Blind," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

There were pyrotechnics during player introductions and Drake songs during warmups. — Ben Cohen, WSJ, "The Last Best Player Not in the NBA," 30 Oct. 2018 Chabon’s literary pyrotechnics are again on display. — SFChronicle.com, "Recommendations from Bookshop West Portal," 20 June 2018 Despite Lumines’ audiovisual pyrotechnics, minimalism was a key principle from the beginning of its gameplay design. — Sam Byford, The Verge, "Tetsuya Mizuguchi on the creation of puzzle classic Lumines and its new remaster," 13 July 2018 Tapper can get carried away with his lethal pyrotechnics: A gunfight scene in which toppling statues of George Armstrong Custer and Charles Lindbergh became deadly weapons gave me the giggles. — Jocelyn Mcclurg, USA TODAY, "CNN's Jake Tapper sizzles with 'The Hellfire Club,' his D.C.-set 1950s thriller," 24 Apr. 2018 But even amid the newfangled pyrotechnics, Dolce & Gabbana’s presentations for its Alta Moda collections stand out like a laser show at a funeral. — Horacio Silva, Town & Country, "The Experience Wars: Inside the Furious Fight for the Affections (and Dollars) of the World's Biggest Spenders," 20 Sep. 2018 Where Tchaikovsky’s concerto dazzles with surface-level pyrotechnics, Mozart’s calls for more understated virtuosity. — Joshua Barone, New York Times, "Review: Lang Lang, Classical Music’s Superstar, Returns Quietly," 8 July 2018 To allow for crews to set up the pyrotechnics, the Glencoe Beach will be closed all day and the neighboring boating beach will close at 6 p.m. — Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "How to celebrate the Fourth of July in Glencoe," 26 June 2018 The singer was performing at Glasgow Green until a pyrotechnics incident caused a small fire in the lighting rig. — Sam Tornow, Billboard, "Bruno Mars Forced to Temporarily Leave Stage After Fire Breaks Out During Glasgow Show," 11 July 2018

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