black powder

American  

noun

1. an explosive powder consisting of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal, used chiefly in old guns fired for sport, in fireworks, and for spotting charges in practice bombs; black gunpowder.

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black powder British  

noun

1. another name for gunpowder

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Example Sentences

At the time of the rescue, the Ministry of Defence confirmed an Army bomb disposal team had been called out and "black powder" was taken back to its barracks.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2025

The actual explanation, which the team was convinced best explained the stones, was that the holes were chiseled out to take black powder to blast and break up the stones when clearing fields.

From Slate • Nov. 11, 2023

This takes the form of a finely ground black powder dissolved in a transparent liquid -- oxalic acid.

From Science Daily • Oct. 17, 2023

“Both the black powder and flash powder are susceptible to ignite from heat and friction and posed a significant threat to the aircraft and passengers,” the complaint said.

From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2023

The sand is never poured down the hole; the black powder and fuse sit exposed at the bottom.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman