powder

1 of 2

verb

pow·​der ˈpau̇-dər How to pronounce powder (audio)
powdered; powdering ˈpau̇-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce powder (audio)

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 noun

powder

2 of 2

noun

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
powderless adjective
powderlike adjective

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
Verb
Underneath was a modest slick of crème fraîche powdered with caraway. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Possession of crack in those years got sentences that averaged 4.8 times longer than if the cocaine had been powdered, according to the Department of Justice. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 What could have been an ordinary moment of Chappelle smoking a cigarette while standing on a Paris street at night wearing an overcoat, hoodie, jeans and sneakers, became mythical as Bitton captured it, with snow falling all around Chappelle and powdering the ground. Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Powers’ Double Shooting Star: 2 eggs 3 ounces superfine sugar (not powdered) 4 ounces milk 2 ounces heavy cream 4 ounces Southern Star Double Shot 4 ounces Southern Star Standard High Rye Bourbon fresh nutmeg coffee bean Method of preparation: Beat eggs on low to medium for about a minute. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2024 To call forth Minaj’s natural glow, McGrath powdered on the highlighters and blushes from her Divine Glow and Divine Blush ranges. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Dec. 2023 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
Noun
Last season, liquid blushes dominated the beauty counters, but now powder stick blushes have taken the spotlight. Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 The kind of guy who never bothered to buy hand soap (just used shower gel), whose kitchen cupboards contained two plate-bowls, a mug, a fork, and three huge tubs of cookies and cream protein powder. Kate Lloyd, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 Try using a natural cream deodorant or a drying powder to prevent sweat irritation. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Next would be the powder, then lipstick on the cheeks and on her lips. Lyn Slater, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2024 Customers would mix the powder with a hydrating ingredient, like RANAVAT's Jazmine Mist, the brand's only original product still on the market. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 After the verdict against Mr. Trump, envelopes containing white powder were sent to the Albany building that houses Ms. James’s office. Jesse McKinley, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Mint Matcha Milk Shake View Recipe Combine matcha powder with mint chip ice cream and almond milk for a slightly healthier version of your favorite seasonal mint shake. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024 And after exercising, people can reach for easy protein-rich and carb-rich snacks such as smoothies with Greek yogurt or protein powder, chocolate milk, or eggs on toast. Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Health, 5 Mar. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near powder

Cite this Entry

“Powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powder. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

powder

1 of 2 noun
pow·​der ˈpau̇d-ər How to pronounce powder (audio)
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 verb
1
: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder
2
: to crush to or become powder
powderer
-ər-ər
noun

Medical Definition

powder

noun
pow·​der ˈpau̇d-ər How to pronounce powder (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce Powder (audio)
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

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