Roman candle

American  

noun

1. a firework consisting of a tube that sends out a shower of sparks and a succession of balls of fire.

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Roman candle British  

noun

1. a firework that produces a continuous shower of sparks punctuated by coloured balls of fire

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Etymology

Origin of Roman candle

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

“Trees, they exploded and flamed up like a Roman candle immediately.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2023

An aerial Roman candle has 20 grams, reloadable aerial shells, shot from a tube, have 60 grams.

From Washington Times • Apr. 4, 2021

His golf partner, his oldest son, then known as “Junior” and the Roman candle in the family, did look, though, and leveled a fierce glare at me.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2018

Like a trail of sparks that leads to a Roman candle eruption, though, “Lorelei” soon fires high and wide.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 16, 2018

The boy with the Roman candle is staring at me.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day