black powder

noun

: an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur used especially in fireworks and as a propellant in antique firearms compare gunpowder

Examples of black powder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Even so, the sports bra’s evolution as a black powder for the feminist movement, and a flash appeal for female entrepreneurs in its aftermath, surprised Lindahl. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Farmers saw it as a supercharged fertilizer, while chemists viewed it as the lifeblood of black powder. Scott Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 That black powder could supply 20 gigawatt hours of cells, enough to power 100,000 to 200,000 EVs, or millions of consumer devices like phones. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Dec. 2024 While on the way, Philippi allegedly ordered C-4 and other explosives from the undercover employees, then later purchased black powder to put into pipe bombs. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 4 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for black powder

Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black powder was in 1793

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Cite this Entry

“Black powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20powder. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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