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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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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.

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; dynam-, -ite 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

As further reminder, Deutsche Grammophon has just released the orchestra’s dynamite live recording of Prokofiev’s complete ballet score from the Disney premiere.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

When giving evidence, Pereira insisted the device he left outside MI5 would not have been mistaken for an explosive, but added: "The news inside was dynamite."

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

To prepare the site, engineers have already blasted through more than 7 million pounds of dynamite.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

George Ferris fought the cold with dynamite, the only efficient way to penetrate the three-foot crust of frozen earth that now covered Jackson Park.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.