gunpowder

noun

gun·​pow·​der ˈgən-ˌpau̇-dər How to pronounce gunpowder (audio)
: an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur used in gunnery and blasting
broadly : any of various powders used in guns as propelling charges

Examples of gunpowder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Some of the cannons were found still packed with cannonballs and gunpowder charges, along with other small artifacts. Amy Galo, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Over the next several years, much of the gunpowder, shot, cloth and other material that kept the American war effort alive passed through Statia’s warehouses and harbor. R. Grant Gilmore Iii, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 And the gunpowder magazine has become a boutique hotel. Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Nearly a half pound of gunpowder was used to blast the pieces, and the explosion was loud enough to set off nearby car alarms. Nhat V. Meyer, Mercury News, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gunpowder

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gunpowder was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Gunpowder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

gunpowder

noun
gun·​pow·​der -ˌpau̇d-ər How to pronounce gunpowder (audio)
: an explosive mixture used in guns and blasting

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