cordite

noun

cord·​ite ˈkȯr-ˌdīt How to pronounce cordite (audio)
: a smokeless powder composed of nitroglycerin, guncotton, and a petroleum substance usually gelatinized by addition of acetone and pressed into cords resembling brown twine

Examples of cordite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The men hit the ground as the blast hit, the smell of cordite and dust going deep into their nostrils. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023 The San Diego native heard the guns, saw the muzzle flashes, smelled the cordite and hit the ground. San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2023 Fierro could smell the cordite from the ammunition, saw the flashes and dove, pushing his friend down before falling backwards. Time, 22 Nov. 2022 Fierro could smell the cordite from the ammunition, saw the flashes and dove, pushing one of his friends down before falling backwards. Greg Norman, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2022 Soon, City’s whole team and its staff members were obscured, swallowed whole by a great cloud of cordite by fireworks that were supposed — were expected — to be for them. New York Times, 29 May 2021 As the first rocket shrieks above his head, Iturralde sets off another, another shower of sparks falling at his feet, another cloud of cordite writhing around his sleeve. Rory Smith, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2021 Poor ventilation exposed patrons to a combination of odours including rose, seaweed, wine, peppermint, shoe polish and cordite. Robert Chalmers, Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2014

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cordite.' 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

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cordite was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near cordite

Cite this Entry

“Cordite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cordite. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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