thermite

noun

ther·​mite ˈthər-ˌmīt How to pronounce thermite (audio)
: a mixture of aluminum powder and a metal oxide (such as iron oxide) that when ignited emits a great deal of heat and is used in welding and in incendiary bombs

Examples of thermite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Authorities also recovered explosive materials and components to include thermite, ammonium nitrate, magnesium ribbon, metal pipes, and gasoline. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026 Authorities discovered thermite, ammonium nitrate and other explosive materials in the rented vehicle, Sheriff Kevin McCahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said at a news conference Friday. Dennis Romero, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026 The flame-spewing ‘Dragon Drone’ transformed the thermite grenade from a niche munition only suitable for demolition to a weapon capable of burning down hundreds of meters of tree line. David Hambling, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Althorpe often shared detailed material that could aid in carrying out terrorist attacks, such as instructions for making the explosive thermite and plans for building assault rifles that couldn’t be traced by law enforcement. A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 15 Mar. 2025 Early had allegedly started buying materials to make thermite, a mix of aluminum powder and iron oxide that produces intense heat and could devastate a building. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025 Officers also discovered a lighter, hat, mask and gloves used during the crime and a bag of thermite. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 12 Mar. 2024 Uses of energetic materials include flares, matches, solid rocket boosters, gun propellants, hot thermite welding used to fuse materials together, fireworks and the explosive special effects in your favorite action movie. Monique McClain, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

therm- + -ite entry 1

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thermite was in 1900

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thermite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermite. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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