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
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Solla, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
All-mountain skiing is a style of skiing that covers the entire mountain, from groomed trails to powder, bumps, trees, and variable terrain.
—Marina Knight, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
An investigation from Consumer Reports found that up to 70% of protein powders had levels of lead that would be worrisome.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
To achieve professional-looking velvet nails, keep in mind that the most intense tones (such as reds, greens, or blues amplify the depth), while in soft colors like gray, beige or powdered pink, the texture becomes more discreet but just as elegant.
—Laura Solla, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
All-mountain skiing is a style of skiing that covers the entire mountain, from groomed trails to powder, bumps, trees, and variable terrain.
—Marina Knight, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
Popularity of the bitter, caffeine-heavy powder has surged across much of the West — and on social media — where it is often whisked with sugar and milk for matcha lattes, in a departure from Japanese tradition.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
An investigation from Consumer Reports found that up to 70% of protein powders had levels of lead that would be worrisome.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for powder
Cite this Entry
“Powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powder. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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