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
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The facility is known for upholding Russia's military industry by producing gunpowder, manufacturing parts for rockets and explosives, and producing ammunition. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 As their romance inches towards its predictable conclusion, the more intriguing characters who populate Primeval’s periphery—where a web of allegiances, compromises, and betrayals echoes our current state of sociopolitical chaos—fade into a fog of gunpowder. Judy Berman, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025 One evening, while his parents were preparing to host dinner guests, Peter quietly laid a trail of gunpowder around the table in hopes of lighting it for entertainment. Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 Over time, land batteries, which had more gunpowder supplies, adopted a 21-gun salute by firing three shots for every one fired by ships. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025 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 6 Feb. 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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