gunpowder
noun
gun·pow·der ˈgən-ˌpau̇-dər 
: 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The artillery shells are filled with gunpowder in two tiers. 
Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2022 Michėle Colburn indirectly reflects on violence in pretty abstractions executed with watercolor mixed with gunpowder. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 24 June 2022 In a message, Serbin Pont said the gunman might have used homemade black powder, a crude form of gunpowder or, more likely, firecrackers as the propellent to force a projectile from the weapon. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 Her brilliant work in Zola probably won't get a mention, but the ones who know will pour one out for a higher Power too; Bravo's tiny surreal masterpiece, drenched in gunpowder and body glitter, and forever ready for its closeup. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2022 Chinese archers attached bamboo tubes stuffed with gunpowder to their arrows, which were ignited when launched. Paul Sillers, CNN, 4 Apr. 2022 Other outfits include Captain Picard’s uniform worn by Patrick Stewart, a Borg costume and the rubber suit inhabited by the brutal alien Gorn, who battled Captain Kirk until Kirk ‘invented’ gunpowder. Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021 Cortese’s bill would have banned the use of guns and blank ammunition containing gunpowder or other explosive charges from film sets, with some exceptions. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 23 May 2022 An explosive device filled with gunpowder, ball bearings and metal arrowheads was discovered in the car of a man who had fallen asleep in his vehicle in a Northeast Side neighborhood, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 12 May 2022 See More
Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2022 Michėle Colburn indirectly reflects on violence in pretty abstractions executed with watercolor mixed with gunpowder. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 24 June 2022 In a message, Serbin Pont said the gunman might have used homemade black powder, a crude form of gunpowder or, more likely, firecrackers as the propellent to force a projectile from the weapon. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 8 July 2022 Her brilliant work in Zola probably won't get a mention, but the ones who know will pour one out for a higher Power too; Bravo's tiny surreal masterpiece, drenched in gunpowder and body glitter, and forever ready for its closeup. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2022 Chinese archers attached bamboo tubes stuffed with gunpowder to their arrows, which were ignited when launched. Paul Sillers, CNN, 4 Apr. 2022 Other outfits include Captain Picard’s uniform worn by Patrick Stewart, a Borg costume and the rubber suit inhabited by the brutal alien Gorn, who battled Captain Kirk until Kirk ‘invented’ gunpowder. Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021 Cortese’s bill would have banned the use of guns and blank ammunition containing gunpowder or other explosive charges from film sets, with some exceptions. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 23 May 2022 An explosive device filled with gunpowder, ball bearings and metal arrowheads was discovered in the car of a man who had fallen asleep in his vehicle in a Northeast Side neighborhood, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 12 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
gunpowder
noun
gun·pow·der ˈgən-ˌpau̇-dər
: an explosive powder used in guns and blasting