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

Over the next few centuries the Chinese developed a proto-gun that channeled the power of gunpowder through a cylinder, and the explosive substance gradually spread westward for both military and industrial purposes. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

When Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder in the ninth century, no one grasped the full range of its potential uses. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

The rocket was the first of its kind, powered by liquid propellant rather than gunpowder or other solid fuels used by most rockets at the time, according to NASA. —Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026

The birth of ‘gunpowder warfare’ can be traced back to the 15th century and the invention of the matchlock gun, the first mechanical firing device. —Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 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