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

The property, formerly the site of a 19th century gunpowder factory, includes the first du Pont family home and gardens in America. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2023

Supply-chain bottlenecks and a steep increase in international demand — caused in part by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza — have exhausted supplies of gunpowder and rocket propellants. —David L. Stern, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024

Whoever can turn it invisible by bending light around it will change warfare just as dramatically as the Chinese alchemist 900 years ago who was looking for the elixir of life and discovered gunpowder. —Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024

That’s not to say that the discovery of gunpowder and metalworking automatically advanced weapons development. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 7 Dec. 2023

Appetizer choices include chicken malai tikka, gunpowder calamari and palak patta chaat. —Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 13 Feb. 2024

Union soldiers also tossed thousands of Confederate weapons and supplies into the river, including sabers, bayonets, tents, backpacks, ball cartridges and gunpowder, according to Live Science’s Kristina Killgrove. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023

There was shelling and shooting nearby, and the smell of death and gunpowder hung in the air. —Loay Ayyoub, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023

Like regular indoor ranges, shooting trailers require regular cleaning to prevent a dangerous buildup of lead and gunpowder. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gunpowder

noun

gun·​pow·​der -ˌpau̇d-ər 

: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting