Gunpowder Plot

American  

noun

1. an unsuccessful plot to kill King James I and the assembled Lords and Commons by blowing up Parliament, November 5, 1605, in revenge for the laws against Roman Catholics.

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Gunpowder Plot British  

noun

1. the unsuccessful conspiracy to blow up James I and Parliament at Westminster on Nov 5, 1605 See also Guy Fawkes Day

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Example Sentences

A perennial target of assassins, James survived the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and confederates hoped to blow up Parliament.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

The evening spectacle, which is believed to date back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, started with the children's barrels before the women's, men's and intermediate event got under way.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

After Guy Fawkes's Gunpowder Plot to blow up British Parliament was foiled in 1605, the government declared November 5 a day to celebrate.

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2021

When Gunpowder Plot supporters sought leniency “for Fawkes’ sake” in November 1605, little did they know it would become a maxim of exasperation for generations to come.

From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2020

The original documents are preserved in the Gunpowder Plot Book at the Record Office.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 "G" to "Gaskell, Elizabeth" by Various