black powder

noun

: 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

And that's before getting to the part about the giant beetles who talk through their sphincters, the beetles that turn into typewriters Lee works on, giant bugs which are sliced apart in an open market to become a black powder, and everyday caterpillars, just to name a few. —Sarah Sprague, EW.com, 28 May 2021

The 93 is only safe for black powder. —John Gordon, Outdoor Life, 10 Mar. 2021

The most powerful came on a foggy afternoon in October 1890, when over 100,000 pounds of black powder detonated, collapsing seven buildings. —Margo Rabb, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Feb. 2023

During the Song Dynasty, the Chinese used black powder extremely effectively in siege warfare, particularly against the Mongols. —Marisa Sloan, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022

The planes also dropped 20 smaller bombs that only had black powder charge. —Audrey Mcavoy, ajc, 1 Dec. 2022

The Rebel intentionally borrows some Power Wagon design cues, including black powder coating for the grille and bumpers and a Mopar Sport hood. —Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 24 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1793, in the meaning defined above