fireball

noun

fire·​ball ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌbȯl How to pronounce fireball (audio)
1
: a ball of fire
also : something resembling such a ball
the primordial fireball associated with the beginning of the universe 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 Mario can’t sprint, toss fireballs or anything like that. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 Those that are especially bright — sometimes appearing even brighter than Venus — it's called a fireball. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024 The blast sent up a plume of black smoke and a fireball that was large enough to reach a transformer on a power line, damaging it. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Quadrantids meteors tend not to be as bright as others, but this shower is known for producing fireballs—particularly bright, long-lasting streaks that sometimes produce an alarming but harmless sound. Nicole Clausing, Sunset Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024 The explosion and fireball erupted at the grounds of the hospital seven seconds after the apparent interceptor missile exploded in midair. Imogen Piper, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2023 The space agency says fireballs are larger explosions of light and color that are brighter and can persist longer than average meteor streaks. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2024 That’s because the inaugural flight destroyed the launchpad, triggered environmental concerns and ended with the rocket spinning out of control before destroying itself in a fireball. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023 The rocket's second stage is visible to the upper left of the fireball, continuing into space. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 22 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fireball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fireball was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fireball

Cite this Entry

“Fireball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fireball. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fireball

noun
fire·​ball -ˌbȯl How to pronounce fireball (audio)
1
: a ball of fire
2
: a very bright meteor
3
: the glowing cloud of vapor and dust created by a nuclear explosion

More from Merriam-Webster on fireball

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