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

Somehow, he managed to get his hands on the ingredients for gunpowder - potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal.

From BBC

But some judges and state lawyers said the history shows that when new dangers arose — including stored gunpowder, dynamite and machine guns — new restrictions were written into law.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawsuit alleges that the buildup of unburned gunpowder residue, lead and other combustible material caused the deadly explosion.

From Los Angeles Times

Combine sand and gunpowder and thwack, you’ve made a brick of TNT.

From Los Angeles Times

Strikes in the border region of Bryansk caused explosions at a refinery, ammunition depots and a chemical plant said to produce gunpowder and explosives, a Ukrainian security source told the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

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