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TAKE THE QUIZsmokeless 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
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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
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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about smokeless powder
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