gunpowder

noun

gun·​pow·​der ˈgən-ˌpau̇-dər How to pronounce gunpowder (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Behind the heavy oak door of her two-story brick house, Harriet Bell Hayden kept rifles, kegs of gunpowder and even a secret tunnel. Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025 Mixing coal with saltpeter creates gunpowder, the most basic firework fuel used already in ancient China. David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 In addition to silk, this route enabled the transfer of spices, perfume, tea, wine, paper, and gunpowder, not to mention culture and religion and scientific ideas. Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 4 Dec. 2024 Once the police let students out of the classrooms, Miguel described seeing gunpowder and blood on the ground. NBC News, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gunpowder 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunpowder was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near gunpowder

Cite this Entry

“Gunpowder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

gunpowder

noun
gun·​pow·​der -ˌpau̇d-ər How to pronounce gunpowder (audio)
: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting

More from Merriam-Webster on gunpowder

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