gunpowder

American  

[guhn-pou-der] / ˈgʌnˌpaʊ dər /

noun

1. an explosive mixture, as of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal, used in shells and cartridges, in fireworks, for blasting, etc.

2. Also called gunpowder tea.  a fine variety of green China tea, each leaf of which is rolled into a little ball.

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gunpowder British  

/ ˈɡʌnˌpaʊdə /

noun

1. Also called: black powder.  an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulphur (typical proportions are 75:15:10): used in time fuses, blasting, and fireworks

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Other Word Forms

• gunpowdery adjective

Etymology

Origin of gunpowder

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; gun ¹, powder ¹

Example Sentences

Authorities vowed to stabilize investment with more fiscal gunpowder from the central government, according to the Xinhua readout of the gathering.

From The Wall Street Journal

The scene was pure chaos: thick smoke from gunpowder still hanging in the air, water cascading from ruptured pipes in the ceiling, alarms blaring, strobe lights flashing.

From Los Angeles Times

Drones were spotted this month in France, loitering around a gunpowder plant and a train station where tanks are located.

From The Wall Street Journal

Though the conquistadors enjoyed superior technology, including steel weapons and gunpowder, European diseases such as smallpox and measles proved more decisive, taking untold millions of indigenous lives.

From The Wall Street Journal

One recent target was the Bryansk Chemical Plant that makes gunpowder, explosives and components for rocket fuel for ammunition and missiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ammo
• armament
• bomb
• bullet
• cartridge
• chemical
• explosive
• materiel
• missile
• munition
• napalm
• rocket
• shrapnel
• torpedo