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

Chinese papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the magnetic compass became more widely known in western Asia and Europe, while advances in Islamic astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and cartography spread eastward. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Whiskey, salt pork, gunpowder, nails, flour, whale oil, molasses. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Launched in 2024, MICAS occupies restored 17th-century Floriana fortifications, a former Knights-era poorhouse, and a gunpowder store in Malta’s Baroque capital city Valletta. — The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 27 July 2026

The gunpowder choke point Gunpowder prices have spiked as the war in Ukraine depleted stockpiles. — Elsa Ohlen,greg Kennedy, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gunpowder

• chowder
• crowder
• louder
• prouder

Kids Definition

gunpowder

noun

gun·​pow·​der -ˌpau̇d-ər 

: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting