From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishgunpowdergun‧pow‧der /ˈɡʌnˌpaʊdə $ -ər/ noun [uncountable] PMWSCBan explosive substance used in bombs and fireworks
Examples from the Corpus
gunpowder• This led him to suggest that perhaps bladders full of oxygen and gunpowder might be used to good effect in mining.• The bill says nothing about requiring taggants in gunpowder, only studying them.• The National Rifle Association says taggants in gunpowder might act like a match struck near gasoline.• The family fortune had been established by Evelyn's grandfather, who had acquired the monopoly of making gunpowder under the Tudors.• The flames were now strong enough to reach the two bags of gunpowder tied to the man's neck.• Benjamin followed, studying the coiled slow fuses, jars of oil and small barrels of gunpowder piled there.• Not a bad way to go, in a blaze of your own gunpowder.• The elder was behaving as if parties of white women were constantly presenting him with gunpowder. 