extinguisher
Americannoun
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a person or thing that extinguishes.
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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.
Etymology
Origin of extinguisher
First recorded in 1550–60; extinguish + -er 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Another sprayed a fire extinguisher, sending up a white cloud.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
He runs back to the shop to grab another man who tries to tackle the fire with a fire extinguisher.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026
He said he came back with a fire extinguisher and tried to fight the fire.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026
This is like a fire extinguisher that requires a 48-hour waiting period.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 5, 2025
When the sun sank, darkness dropped on the island like an extinguisher and soon the shelters were full of restlessness, under the remote stars.
From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
