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.

---

Roman candle British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of Roman candle

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The sparks, he said, resembed a "giant roman candle" and went from the plane's nose to its tail.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

Banging and hissing into the Combahee River, S. C. duck preserves of Broker Edward F, Hutton, Manhattan socialite, soared many a skyrocket, roman candle & firecracker, set off by angry hunters.

From Time Magazine Archive

When they dumped urine overboard, the particles froze in the cold vacuum and sparkled like a roman candle as they drifted by.

From Time Magazine Archive

"If these dreams...take off, El Barrio would burn like a roman candle, bright and proud."

From Time Magazine Archive

If these dreams of theirs would take off, El Barrio would burn like a roman candle, bright and proud for decades.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez