powdered; powdering
ˈpau̇-d(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder
2
: to reduce or convert to powder
3
: to hit very hard
often attributive
1
: matter in a finely divided state : particulate matter
2
a
: a preparation in the form of fine particles especially for medicinal or cosmetic use
b
: fine dry light snow
3
: any of various solid explosives used chiefly in gunnery and blasting
see also take a powder
Synonyms
Examples of powder in a Sentence
Verb
She powdered her face and put on lipstick.
you have to powder the antibiotic tablet and mix it with food
Noun
The powder is made from the roots of the plant.
Mix together the different powders.
She crushed the peppercorns into a fine powder.
We're running low on baby powder and diapers.
We woke this morning to several inches of fresh powder on the ground.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023
Ingredients 2 cups salted butter 6 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup (2 oz.) bourbon
1 Tbsp.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2023
The place was like a courtier in the Palace of Versailles, constantly powdered and perfumed to mask the unpleasant odor beneath.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2023
Just as our mothers had done when their mothers spent generations powdering themselves pretty in the image of the father, ignoring both her mother & the whenua in her.
—Tayi Tibble, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023
But in order to overcome Western sensibilities, insects are being farmed then powdered or turned into flour.
—Philip Lymbery, Time, 27 July 2023
Tears Up Pavement Its wild course unchecked by the impact with the automobile, the car leaped up onto the sidewalk and continued south on Twelfth street, its wheels powdering the concrete pavement.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2023
Sometimes it is molded into balls and sometimes powdered; for added flavor, the milk can be fermented with ground grains, too.
—Annalee Newitz, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2021
Some are even fortified with more leucine than most casein or whey powders on the market.
—Paul Kita, Men's Health, 5 Apr. 2023
Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Producers at the startup’s facilities then grind the larvae into powder or compress them into oil for animal feed.
—Catherine Wang, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023
The Endless Sunset Face and Eyeshadow Palette contain seven powder shades ranging from matte ivory to shimmery peach to warm matte brown that even makeup amateurs can use to create unlimited looks.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 26 Nov. 2023
The country is ridged with volcanic mountain ranges, and its latitude and weather patterns mean it's blessed with plenty of fine, dry powder — and the ski resorts to go with it.
—Selena Takigawa Hoy, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023
These are the mushrooms sold as tinctures, soft gels and powders in the supplements aisle.
—Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2023
Walmart alone sells açaí bowls, açaí juices, açaí powders and açaí weight loss supplements.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023
And a Japanese mortar and pestle, a brilliant little tool whose ceramic bowl has a toothy, rough interior, effortlessly grinds spices to a fine powder.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Once the powder is reconstituted, it should be stored in the refrigerator and discarded after 14 days.18
Penicillin V should be taken on an empty stomach to ensure maximum absorption.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
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Verb
From there, consumers have a wide range of ways to eat it, from fresh salads, pickled, or even powdered and sprinkled on pasta and pizza for a little kick of extra nutrients.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023
Ingredients 2 cups salted butter 6 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup (2 oz.) bourbon
1 Tbsp.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2023
The place was like a courtier in the Palace of Versailles, constantly powdered and perfumed to mask the unpleasant odor beneath.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2023
Just as our mothers had done when their mothers spent generations powdering themselves pretty in the image of the father, ignoring both her mother & the whenua in her.
—Tayi Tibble, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023
But in order to overcome Western sensibilities, insects are being farmed then powdered or turned into flour.
—Philip Lymbery, Time, 27 July 2023
Tears Up Pavement Its wild course unchecked by the impact with the automobile, the car leaped up onto the sidewalk and continued south on Twelfth street, its wheels powdering the concrete pavement.
—Merrie Monteagudo, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2023
Sometimes it is molded into balls and sometimes powdered; for added flavor, the milk can be fermented with ground grains, too.
—Annalee Newitz, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2021
Some are even fortified with more leucine than most casein or whey powders on the market.
—Paul Kita, Men's Health, 5 Apr. 2023
Noun
Infused with mica powder and shea butter for a look that’s both glowy and hydrating, the lotion can be used by itself or as a primer for your day-to-day makeup.
—Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Producers at the startup’s facilities then grind the larvae into powder or compress them into oil for animal feed.
—Catherine Wang, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2023
The Endless Sunset Face and Eyeshadow Palette contain seven powder shades ranging from matte ivory to shimmery peach to warm matte brown that even makeup amateurs can use to create unlimited looks.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 26 Nov. 2023
The country is ridged with volcanic mountain ranges, and its latitude and weather patterns mean it's blessed with plenty of fine, dry powder — and the ski resorts to go with it.
—Selena Takigawa Hoy, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2023
These are the mushrooms sold as tinctures, soft gels and powders in the supplements aisle.
—Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2023
Walmart alone sells açaí bowls, açaí juices, açaí powders and açaí weight loss supplements.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023
And a Japanese mortar and pestle, a brilliant little tool whose ceramic bowl has a toothy, rough interior, effortlessly grinds spices to a fine powder.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Once the powder is reconstituted, it should be stored in the refrigerator and discarded after 14 days.18
Penicillin V should be taken on an empty stomach to ensure maximum absorption.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'powder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English poudre, from Anglo-French pudre, podre, from Latin pulver-, pulvis dust; probably akin to Sanskrit palāva chaff
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of powder was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing powder
Dictionary Entries Near powder
Cite this Entry
“Powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powder. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
powder
1 of 2 noun
pow·der
ˈpau̇d-ər
1
a
: dry material made up of fine particles
b
: something (as a food, medicine, or cosmetic) made in or changed to the form of a powder
2
: a solid explosive used in shooting or blasting
powder
2 of 2 verb1
: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder
2
: to crush to or become powder
powderer
noun
-ər-ər
Medical Definition
powder
noun
pow·der
ˈpau̇d-ər
: a product in the form of discrete usually fine particles
specifically
: a medicine or medicated preparation in the form of a powder
antiseptic powder
digestive powder
Geographical Definition
Powder
geographical name
Pow·der
ˈpau̇-dər
1
river 150 miles (241 kilometers) long in eastern Oregon flowing into the Snake River
2
river 375 miles (604 kilometers) long in northern Wyoming and southeastern Montana flowing north into the Yellowstone River
More from Merriam-Webster on powder
Nglish: Translation of powder for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of powder for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about powder
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