gunpowder

noun

gun·​pow·​der ˈgən-ˌpau̇-dər 

: an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur used in gunnery and blasting

broadly : any of various powders used in guns as propelling charges

Examples of gunpowder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inside his small bedroom, officers found 20 firearms of various calibers, along with about 10,000 rounds of ammunition — also of various calibers — as well as 2 pounds of gunpowder and a polyvinyl chloride pipe bomb with a red-colored fuse, according to the warrant. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025

Black pants with a white stripe were tested for gunpowder residue by forensic scientist Kimberlee Gruenstein, who testified that four samples taken from the pants did not have traces of gunshot residue. —Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025

Restaurant Aure is housed in a historic gunpowder house from 1745. —Noel Burgess, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

The chemical plant produces gunpowder for Russia's Kh-59 cruise missiles. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gunpowder

• chowder
• crowder
• louder
• prouder

Kids Definition

gunpowder

noun

gun·​pow·​der -ˌpau̇d-ər 

: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting