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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Attorney Cory Leshner also argued that the highest concentration of gunpowder residue was found on McCoy's hands, per the outlet. Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025 Rome's mighty Legions stick around for all of Antiquity, giving them a longer time window to do work for you, while Spain's Tercios are available throughout Exploration instead of just a short window between discovering gunpowder and rifling. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025 The scent of gunpowder is still wafting off the season 3 finale, but Alan Ritchson's Jack Reacher is already gearing up for his next exercise in bone-crunching justice. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Rather than prioritizing the gunpowder needed to explode the effigy and win some cash, all three teams first focus on collecting shields. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 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

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Cite this Entry

“Gunpowder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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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