extinguisher

American  

[ik-sting-gwi-sher] / ɪkˈstɪŋ gwɪ ʃər /

noun

• extinguishers
  plural

1. a person or thing that extinguishes.

2. fire extinguisher.

3. an instrument consisting of a cone-shaped cup attached to a handle or the end of a pole, for extinguishing a candle by momentarily closing off the burning wick from the air.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• extinguishers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of extinguisher

First recorded in 1550–60; extinguish + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extinguisher extinguishers

It’s important to purchase an extinguisher that is both large enough and rated for the types of fires you may experience on the road.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

Too late, a UN security guard rushes in with a fire extinguisher.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

With the right extinguisher, you might be able to stop it quickly.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026

Her parents made sure she knew how to use a fire extinguisher, which was very heavy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

Although he will see a fire extinguisher with legs.

From "The Misfits" by James Howe

There are no fire extinguishers stationed on the company itself.

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

Launched in 2009, it also makes life jackets and fire extinguishers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

“We went through seven fire extinguishers but we saved the car, which was on a lift,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026

"We've been conditioned to believe that there are fire sprinklers or extinguishers nearby, right? I remember thinking at one point, 'We're all going to get wet'. Obviously that didn't happen."

From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2026

The office staff stupidly forgot to warn us that the carpenter, or whatever he’s called, was coming to fill the extinguishers.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank