# gunpowder

/ˈɡənˌpaʊdɝ/ (US) · /ɡˈʌnpaʊdɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gunpowder
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a dry powder that explodes when it is lit. It is used in things like fireworks and bullets.

For teachers: an explosive mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal. Historically significant as the first chemical explosive used in firearms and artillery.

## Examples

- The ancient recipe for gunpowder changed the history of war.
- The fireworks display relies on carefully measured amounts of gunpowder to launch the shells high into the night sky.
- The invention of gunpowder in China eventually transformed global military strategy, rendering traditional stone fortifications vulnerable to the sustained power of heavy artillery.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.