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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This generally means muzzleloaders that use black powder or a black powder substitute, though some early cartridge guns are included. Allen G. Breed, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 People in danger zones were evacuated because of what authorities described as high risks posed by two black powder warehouses at the site. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 5 May 2026 The next night, Weathermen placed plastic coffee cups filled with black powder under the hoods of police squad cars across Chicago. Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026 Using a 10-liter reactor, heat and pressure were applied to turn soggy stillage into a fine black powder, which was then refined in a furnace into two distinct materials. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026 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 21 May. 2026.

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