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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Nearly a half pound of gunpowder was used to blast the pieces, and the explosion was loud enough to set off nearby car alarms. Nhat V. Meyer, Mercury News, 25 May 2026 Among its Southern Tamil Nodu dishes are Dungeness crab with coconut rice, and gunpowder dosa. Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 While searching the property, officers seized a number of chemicals along with gunpowder and thermite. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 The massive site near De Soto was once home to a factory that produced gunpowder for artillery shells in World War II and rocket propellants during the Vietnam War. Hannah Wise, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Gunpowder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

gunpowder

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

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