dynamite

American  

[dahy-nuh-mahyt] / ˈdaɪ nəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a high explosive, originally consisting of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent substance, now with ammonium nitrate usually replacing the nitroglycerin.

2. any person or thing having a spectacular effect.

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verb (used with object)

dynamited, dynamiting

1. to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite.

   Saboteurs dynamited the dam.

2. to mine or charge with dynamite.

adjective

1. Informal. creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great; topnotch.

   a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

dynamite British  

/ ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine or ammonium nitrate mixed with kieselguhr, sawdust, or wood pulp

2. informal a spectacular or potentially dangerous person or thing

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verb

1. (tr) to mine or blow up with dynamite

dynamite Scientific  

/ dī′nə-mīt′ /

1. A powerful explosive used in blasting and mining. It typically consists of nitroglycerin and a nitrate (especially sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate), combined with an absorbent material that makes it safer to handle.

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Other Word Forms

• dynamiter
  noun
• dynamitic
  adjective
• dynamitically
  adverb
• undynamited
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dynamite

From Swedish dynamit, introduced by Alfred Bernhard Nobel ( def. ), its inventor in 1867; see dynam-, -ite ¹

Explanation

Dynamite is a material that explodes when it's detonated. Dynamite has long been used in mining, for blasting open layers of rock. Dynamite is not the kind of thing you buy at the corner hardware store. Dynamite was invented in 1867 by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, chemist, and engineer. Builders and miners were happy about the new explosive, since dynamite was stronger and safer than those that came before it. Nobel named his invention dynamit, a Swedish version of the Greek dynamis, "power." The earliest figurative meaning was "dangerous," but in the 1960s it came to also mean "excellent" or "impressive."

Example Sentences

Denford’s steadily growing “nobody cares” audience regularly tosses sticks of dynamite into that vortex in the name of protecting our sanity.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

A man who left a fake stick of dynamite outside the headquarters of MI5 has been found guilty of carrying out a bomb hoax.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

It’s a reference to the Nobel Peace Prize and its founder, Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist who invented dynamite.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Much of that resolve was forged thanks to a childhood game that Easley called dynamite pigskin.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2025

Of course, Joe understood immediately that this dynamite had not just fallen from heaven in order to increase the personal wealth and power of Joe Mondragon, all-around handyman and bean farmer par extraordinaire.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Related Words

• nitroglycerin