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

“He used a fire extinguisher in an attempt to extinguish the fire and observed additional fires spotting in close proximity,” the report states.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

In my mind, a fire extinguisher often gets put into the same “essentials” bucket as a plunger for your house: You should probably buy one before you need it.

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

“Do you have a plan other than holding a fire extinguisher and hoping for the best?”

From "Time Bomb" by Joelle Charbonneau

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

Firefighters carrying extinguishers could be seen patrolling the area, as sparks flew from the rotors of at least three lanterns, AFP journalists at the event saw.

From Barron's ● Dec. 19, 2025

There were some condemned head-dresses lying in disgrace—strange shapes of starch like candle extinguishers, and meringues, and the double horns of cows.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White