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
Police described the devices as three aluminum pipe bombs and a tennis ball bomb containing an explosive, gunpowder and steel ball bearings.
—
CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
In addition to a plan of action, according to the federal affidavit, step-by-step instructions were discovered detailing how to build a pipe bomb and create homemade gunpowder.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 15 Dec. 2025
Everything is packed with gunpowder.
—Anthony Jeselnik, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Spillner was still in her clothing and no visible gunpowder markings or bullet holes were discovered, police said.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunpowder
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.
CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
In addition to a plan of action, according to the federal affidavit, step-by-step instructions were discovered detailing how to build a pipe bomb and create homemade gunpowder.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 15 Dec. 2025
Everything is packed with gunpowder.
—Anthony Jeselnik, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Spillner was still in her clothing and no visible gunpowder markings or bullet holes were discovered, police said.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunpowder
Cite this Entry
“Gunpowder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gunpowder
noun
gun·pow·der
-ˌpau̇d-ər
: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share