blasting cap

noun

: a small explosive device that is combined with a fuse to detonate a larger explosive

Examples of blasting cap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Maryland bomb technicians investigated the scene and determined the items were blasting caps, which are also known as detonators. Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 2 Aug. 2023 The technicians identified the substance as ammonium nitrate and nitro methane connected to a commercial-grade blasting cap and declared the scene safe. Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 17 May 2023 An inverted nail emerged from the head of each pipe, serving as a firing pin; the fins caused the pipe to spiral vertically, pushing the nail into a blasting cap on impact. Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2022 Witnesses said somehow, with his teeth, the boy pulled the blasting cap off the plastic explosive device. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 9 Apr. 2022 Many explosives, including Torpex, require a detonation wave created by another explosive charge (such as a blasting cap) to reliably explode. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 14 Oct. 2020 On that date, the crew seized 21 Dehlavieh anti-tank guided missiles, five 358 surface-to-air missiles, 13,000 blasting caps, and components for land-attack cruise missiles and UAVs. Abraham Mahshie, Washington Examiner, 20 Feb. 2020 During the search, authorities also found components used in the making of an explosive device to include aerial shells and a blasting cap. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 14 Feb. 2020 Cron’s opposite-field blast capped a four-run fourth. Dana Gauruder, Twin Cities, 30 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blasting cap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blasting cap was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near blasting cap

Cite this Entry

“Blasting cap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blasting%20cap. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on blasting cap

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!