Roman candle

American  

noun

1. a firework consisting of a tube that sends out a shower of sparks and a succession of balls of fire.

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Roman candle British  

noun

1. a firework that produces a continuous shower of sparks punctuated by coloured balls of fire

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Etymology

Origin of Roman candle

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Roman candle

An aerial Roman candle has 20 grams, reloadable aerial shells, shot from a tube, have 60 grams.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 4, 2021

His golf partner, his oldest son, then known as “Junior” and the Roman candle in the family, did look, though, and leveled a fierce glare at me.

From New York Times ● Dec. 2, 2018

Like a trail of sparks that leads to a Roman candle eruption, though, “Lorelei” soon fires high and wide.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2018

“He’s the Roman candle of the piece,” says Soderbergh.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 23, 2017

When she’s around, Coop lights up like the fireballs that shoot out of a Roman candle.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone