black powder

noun

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of black powder

: 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

Recent Examples of black powder from the Web

Ramona Shootist Emporium at 649 Main St., Suite C, serves as Ramona’s backcountry resource for shooting sports, providing historical and contemporary arms, reloading supplies, repairs, education and black powder supplies.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Reception for ‘Celestial’ artist set for April 14," 7 Apr. 2018
The pressure cookers were filled with nails, ball bearings and black powder by the bombers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev to maximize the damage.

— dan frosch, WSJ, "Why Homemade Bombs Are Easy to Make and Hard to Trace," 21 Mar. 2018
Most bombings use what is called a low explosive, something like black powder, instead of a high explosive like dynamite.

— ali watkins, New York Times, "Anatomy of a Bomb Investigation: Inside an A.T.F. Lab," 1 Apr. 2018
The incident came on the heels of the arrest of a Seattle man who was charged this week with sending 11 packages containing explosive black powder to government agencies and military installations in the D.C. area.

— baltimoresun.com, "No dangerous materials found in state senator's office after hazmat scare," 28 Mar. 2018
Officials said black powder was discovered in at least one package along with a fuse, but it was neutralized by the FBI.

— Fox News, "Man arrested in connection with suspicious packages at DC-area military bases," 28 Mar. 2018
The package sent to McNair, an Army base in Washington, D.C., tested positive for black powder and had a fuse attached.

— CBS News, "Arrest made in connection with suspicious packages sent to military bases in D.C. area," 27 Mar. 2018
Shortly after noon, according to Howard, an Army explosive ordnance disposal unit from Fort Belvoir ‘‘confirmed the package tested positive for black powder and residue.

— martin weil and matt zapotosky, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Suspicious packages’ sent to D.C.-area military installations," 27 Mar. 2018
The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team responded to the National Defense University package, which tested positive for black powder and residue, according to Fox5DC.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Suspicious packages sent to 4 military installations," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'black powder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of black powder

1793

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