smokeless powder

noun

: any of a class of explosive propellants that produce comparatively little smoke on explosion and consist mostly of gelatinized nitrocellulose

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Nobel later invented a more powerful form of dynamite and a smokeless powder used in firearms and artillery. Marylou Tousignant, Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2022 About 50 cans of black or smokeless powder were found in the workspace around the pipe, according to court records. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 22 July 2021 That round burned the then new smokeless powder to push a 112-grain round nose bullet 2,560 fps. Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2021 Once smokeless powder came on the scene, the NE cartridges all got a performance boost. John B. Snow, Field & Stream, 8 Mar. 2021 Here is my Husqvarna Model 640 sporter, chambered for the 8x57JS Mauser cartridge, one of the first—and greatest—smokeless powder rifle rounds ever developed. The Editors, Field & Stream, 23 Feb. 2021 In 2001, Savage Arms introduced the 10ML-II, the first muzzleloader to use smokeless powder. Brad Fenson, Outdoor Life, 28 Oct. 2020 Given the inconsistency and volativity of early smokeless powders, the taper of the 375 H&H proved useful for easy cycling and, especially, extraction of hot rounds made all the hotter by tropical heat. Outdoor Life, 3 Jan. 2020 That’s about the same time smokeless powder came onto the scene. Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 31 Jan. 2020 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smokeless powder was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near smokeless powder

Cite this Entry

“Smokeless powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smokeless%20powder. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on smokeless powder

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz

True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY