plastic explosive

American  

noun

1. a puttylike substance that contains an explosive charge, and is detonated by fuse or by remote control: used especially by terrorists and in guerrilla warfare.

---

plastic explosive British  

noun

1. an adhesive jelly-like explosive substance

---

Etymology

Origin of plastic explosive

First recorded in 1905–10

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

plastic explosive

While authorities have not named the type of explosive, unconfirmed media reports have said it was Semtex, a plastic explosive with industrial and military uses.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

“Smiles and laughter followed when I produced the marzipan, made in Denmark. It wasn’t a plastic explosive after all, and Dan celebrated his birthday with the cake of his dreams that year.”

From Washington Post ● Oct. 26, 2021

The cantilever is coated on one side with a chemical that specifically binds a target molecule--say, a cancer-related protein or a plastic explosive.

From Time Magazine Archive

The main charge was PETN, a powerful plastic explosive.

From Time Magazine Archive

Greek investigators speculated that the explosion on the plane may have been caused by a Czechoslovak-made plastic explosive called Semtex, which East bloc countries export in large quantities to Lebanon.

From Time Magazine Archive

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---