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

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

They grimace each time they see a wooden fence in the neighborhood, thinking of it as a Roman candle that could shoot flames onto a nearby home.

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2017

“He’s the Roman candle of the piece,” says Soderbergh.

From The Guardian • Aug. 23, 2017

A green fireball shoots out of his Roman candle with a muted thunk.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day