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.
A fire extinguisher was used to douse the blaze.
From BBC • May 13, 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
Another sprayed a fire extinguisher, sending up a white cloud.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
This is like a fire extinguisher that requires a 48-hour waiting period.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 5, 2025
When the Charlie Company truck caught fire in a mortar explosion on January 21, 1970, Wright quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher, ran to the truck, and sprayed the burning ammo to put out the fire.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
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.
