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.
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 Ever since the earliest days of gunpowder, the weapons themselves have been difficult to destroy. David Hambling, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 When cannons and gunpowder debuted in Europe in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, cities struggled to survive the onslaught of the new firepower. Jacquelyn Schneider, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021 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 21 Dec. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!