powder

verb pow·der \ ˈpau̇-dər \

Definition of powder

powdered; powdering play \ˈpau̇-d(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

1 :to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder

2 :to reduce or convert to powder

3 :to hit very hard

intransitive verb

1 :to become powder

2 :to apply cosmetic powder

—

powderer

play \-dər-ər\ noun

See powder defined for English-language learners

Examples of powder in a Sentence

She powdered her face and put on lipstick.
you have to powder the antibiotic tablet and mix it with food

Recent Examples of powder from the Web

Legal Lean is selling the Coco Loko powdered chocolate meant to be snorted on its own website, and on Amazon, where a 1.25 ounce container costs $24.99.

— paul brinkmann, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Four Loko drink maker sues Orlando’s snortable chocolate startup," 14 July 2017
While being prepped by her glam squad, Pink nursed son Jameson — who kindly helped powder his mom's décolletage at the same time.

— maria yagoda, PEOPLE.com, "#MommyGoals: Celeb Moms Who Get Glam with Their Babies Like It's NBD," 7 July 2017
The third layer is a mix of garlic and onion — powdered, granulated and minced.

— jenn harris, latimes.com, "Four great places to get pork ribs in Los Angeles," 29 June 2017
Most allergic reactions occur after inhaling the sulfites powdered on foods while eating them.

— sarah tan, Good Housekeeping, "What Exactly Are Sulfites — And Are They Bad for You?," 26 June 2017
Activists had been demanding this reduction for decades, as the only difference between the two drugs is that crack is made by adding baking soda and heat to powder cocaine.

— tanya golash-boza, The Cannabist, "America’s mass incarceration problem in 5 charts — or, why Sessions shouldn’t bring back mandatory minimums," 6 June 2017
Of the portion reserved for human consumption, much is powdered, preserving it but significantly impacting taste and quality.

— thomas page, CNN, "Dine macabre: When blood is on the menu," 30 May 2017
Say the time Perry donned a kimono and heavily powdered her face for a 2013 American Music Awards performance.

— michael arceneaux, The Root, "Unlike Most of Y’all, I Like Katy Perry’s New Songs, But...," 29 May 2017
Sarah Gish sgish@kcstar.com Powdered cheese is a staple at In-a-Tub, which is known for its fried tacos.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Holy powdered cheese: Nine things I learned on my first trip to In-a-Tub," 4 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'powder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of powder

14th century

powder Synonyms

Synonyms

atomize, beat, bray, comminute, crush, disintegrate, grind, mill, mull, pound, pulverize

Related Words

grate, kibble; crumble, crunch; break, bust, dash, fracture, fragment; shatter, smash, splinter; micronize

powder

noun, often attributive

Definition of powder

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

—

powderless

play \-ləs\ adjective

—

powderlike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See powder defined for English-language learners

See powder defined for kids

Examples of powder in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of powder from the Web

In a liquid measuring cup, use a fork to stir together the buttermilk, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. Sift the cake flour, salt, baking powder and nutmeg together in a medium bowl.

— jill o'connor, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Stone fruit harvest makes flavor-enhanced desserts," 29 Aug. 2017
Whisk together the brown sugar, thyme, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, powdered mustard and chipotle powder in a medium bowl.

— jim shahin, charlotteobserver, "Think you can’t get smoky flavors from a gas grill? Try this.," 29 Aug. 2017
In September of 2016, a New Jersey judge threw out two lawsuits alleging that Johnson & Johnson talcum powder causes ovarian cancer.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Woman Wins $417 Million in Lawsuit Tying Baby Powder to Ovarian Cancer," 24 Aug. 2017
Notes: For DIY spice blend, combine 1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cane sugar in a small bowl.

— Philly.com, "Annie's Chicken Chayote Soup (Tinola)," 24 Aug. 2017
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.

— leah eskin, chicagotribune.com, "Peach cake a perfect summer dessert," 22 Aug. 2017
Put the dry ingredients — the sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt — in the mixer bowl and mix to combine.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "These French-inspired desserts are deliciously simple," 14 Aug. 2017
Sure enough, as the wrapping was pulled away, black powder leaked out, and Stanton, along with 15 of his colleagues in the facility, inhaled the plutonium dust, according to the report.

— patrick malone and peter cary, idahostatesman, "Unheeded warnings, repeated mistakes put lives at risk at Idaho nuclear lab," 10 Aug. 2017
Thermite, a combination of iron oxide (rust) and aluminum powder.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Kaboom! Russian Drone With Thermite Grenade Blows Up a Billion Dollars of Ukrainian Ammo," 27 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of powder

Middle English poudre, from Anglo-French pudre, podre, from Latin pulver-, pulvis dust; probably akin to Sanskrit palāva chaff

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Powder

geographical name Pow·der \ ˈpau̇-dər \

Definition of Powder

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

POWDER Defined for English Language Learners

powder

verb

Definition of powder for English Language Learners

: to put powder on (your face or body)

powder

noun

Definition of powder for English Language Learners

: a dry substance made up of very tiny pieces of something
: a very fine, dry substance that is put on your body or face especially to make it dry or less shiny
: snow that is very light and dry

POWDER Defined for Kids

powder

verb pow·der \ ˈpau̇-dər \

Definition of powder for Students

powdered; powdering

1 :to sprinkle or cover with or as if with fine particles of something

The cookies were powdered with sugar.

2 :to reduce or change to powder

powder

noun

Definition of powder for Students

1 :a dry substance made up of fine particles

The stone was crushed into powder.

2 :something (as a food, medicine, or cosmetic) made in or changed to the form of a powder

garlic powder

3 :gunpowder

Medical Dictionary

powder

noun pow·der \ ˈpau̇d-ər \

medical Definition of powder

: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

Learn More about powder

See words that rhyme with powder Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for powder Spanish Central: Translation of 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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powder

Definition of powder

powderer

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Examples of powder in a Sentence

Recent Examples of powder from the Web

First Known Use of powder

powder Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

powder

Definition of powder

powderless

powderlike

Examples of powder in a Sentence

Recent Examples of powder from the Web

Origin and Etymology of powder

Powder

Definition of Powder

Phrases Related to POWDER

Related Phrases

POWDER Defined for English Language Learners

powder

Definition of powder for English Language Learners

powder

Definition of powder for English Language Learners

POWDER Defined for Kids

powder

Definition of powder for Students

powder

Definition of powder for Students

Medical Dictionary

powder

medical Definition of powder

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