- a device, such as a Catherine wheel, Roman candle, or rocket, in which combustible materials are ignited and produce coloured flames, sparks, and smoke, sometimes accompanied by bangs
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
fire•work /ˈfaɪrˌwɜrk/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- ChemistryOften, fireworks. [plural] an explosive device for producing a display of light or a loud noise, used for signaling or as part of a celebration.
fire•work
(fīər′wûrk′),USA pronunciation n.
- ChemistryOften, fireworks. a combustible or explosive device for producing a striking display of light or a loud noise, used for signaling or as part of a celebration.
- fireworks:
- a pyrotechnic display.
- a display of violent temper or fierce activity.
- any spectacular display, esp. of wit or of a technical feat by a musician or dancer.
- fire + work 1550–60
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
firework /ˈfaɪəˌwɜːk/ n
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'firework' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
banger
- Bengal light
- Catherine wheel
- Chunjie
- fizgig
- girandole
- maroon
- petard
- pyrotechnics
- rocket
- Roman candle
- sparkler
- squib
- torpedo
- wheel
- whizz-bang
- cascade
- pinwheel
- tourbillion
- serpent
- skyrocket
- sunburst
