smokeless powder

noun

1. any of various substitutes for ordinary gunpowder that give off little or no smoke, especially one composed wholly or mostly of guncotton.

smokeless powder

noun

1. any one of a number of explosives that burn with relatively little smoke. They consist mainly of nitrocellulose and are used as propellants

Word History and Origins

Origin of smokeless powder¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Of course, the whole difficulty in such cases arises from the invisible fire of smokeless powder.

From Project Gutenberg

At the front rose a dense fog of fleecy white, for the volunteers had not yet been afforded the luxury of smokeless powder.

From Project Gutenberg

This fact, combined with the use of smokeless powder, makes the locating of hostile batteries exceedingly difficult.

From Project Gutenberg

Smokeless powder and Maxim silencers are no ways common out in these woods.

From Project Gutenberg

Rottweil Smokeless Powder: a gelatined powder containing camphor and diphenylamine.

From Project Gutenberg