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
However, that plan was thwarted by Armand de Caulaincourt, Napoleon’s grand squire, who dumped the gunpowder out of the guns.
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2024
After his arrest, Det Con Maisie Stevens, of West Yorkshire Police said officers found gunpowder, a blank-firing gun, nails and two knives in his posession and other weapons in his home in Leeds.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 20 June 2024
The use of trebuchets and other catapults began to dwindle after the invention of modern gunpowder artillery in the 15th century.
—Benjamin Brown, CNN, 14 June 2024
In the case over high-capacity magazines, part of the focus has been on a New York law enacted in 1784 that limited to 28 pounds the amount of gunpowder that could be stored in any one place in New York City.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for gunpowder 
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2024
After his arrest, Det Con Maisie Stevens, of West Yorkshire Police said officers found gunpowder, a blank-firing gun, nails and two knives in his posession and other weapons in his home in Leeds.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 20 June 2024
The use of trebuchets and other catapults began to dwindle after the invention of modern gunpowder artillery in the 15th century.
—Benjamin Brown, CNN, 14 June 2024
In the case over high-capacity magazines, part of the focus has been on a New York law enacted in 1784 that limited to 28 pounds the amount of gunpowder that could be stored in any one place in New York City.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for gunpowder
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Cite this Entry
“Gunpowder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gunpowder
noun
gun·pow·der
-ˌpau̇d-ər
: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting
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