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
The streets reeked of the metallic smell of gunpowder, and the heavy smoke set Wanis coughing.
—
Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Miners usually stored their gunpowder inside their homes.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Attorney Cory Leshner also argued that the highest concentration of gunpowder residue was found on McCoy's hands, per the outlet.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Rome's mighty Legions stick around for all of Antiquity, giving them a longer time window to do work for you, while Spain's Tercios are available throughout Exploration instead of just a short window between discovering gunpowder and rifling.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunpowder
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Nicolas Niarchos, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Miners usually stored their gunpowder inside their homes.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Attorney Cory Leshner also argued that the highest concentration of gunpowder residue was found on McCoy's hands, per the outlet.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Rome's mighty Legions stick around for all of Antiquity, giving them a longer time window to do work for you, while Spain's Tercios are available throughout Exploration instead of just a short window between discovering gunpowder and rifling.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gunpowder
Cite this Entry
“Gunpowder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gunpowder
noun
gun·pow·der
-ˌpau̇d-ər
: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting
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