Jump To:

• fire extinguisher
  fire extinguisher

  noun

  a portable container, usually filled with special chemicals for putting out a fire.
• fire-extinguisher
  fire-extinguisher

  noun

  a portable device for extinguishing fires, usually consisting of a canister with a directional nozzle used to direct a spray of water, chemically generated foam, inert gas, or fine powder onto the fire

fire extinguisher

American  

noun

fire extinguishers plural

1. a portable container, usually filled with special chemicals for putting out a fire.

---

fire-extinguisher British  

noun

1. a portable device for extinguishing fires, usually consisting of a canister with a directional nozzle used to direct a spray of water, chemically generated foam, inert gas, or fine powder onto the fire

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• fire extinguishers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fire extinguisher

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

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

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

He grabbed what looked like a fire extinguisher and aimed the nozzle at Petey.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles