gunpowder

[guhn-pou-der]

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.

gunpowder

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• gunpowdery adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunpowder¹

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

Example Sentences

When it reached Mozambique, the majority of the bars, along with wine, gunpowder, olive oil, and dry goods, were used to purchase between 400 and 500 people.

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Nevertheless, despite the absence of gunpowder, mass slaughter proceeded throughout the world’s oceans.

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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.

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

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It added that the plant "produces gunpowder, explosives and rocket fuel components used in ammunition and missiles employed by the enemy to shell the territory of Ukraine".

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Related Words

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