black powder

noun

1. an explosive powder consisting of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal, used chiefly in old guns fired for sport, in fireworks, and for spotting charges in practice bombs; black gunpowder.

black powder

noun

1. another name for gunpowder

Example Sentences

When law enforcement searched McGuire’s home, they found papers that appeared to be recipes for explosive material, an empty can with nails glued to the outside, a bag containing matches, black powder and fireworks, federal prosecutors said.

From Los Angeles Times

In a search of Nguyen’s residence, investigators found the ingredients needed to make black powder and other equipment and clothing believed to have been used in the attempted robberies, the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

A mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur, black powder is a type of explosive that can be made simply at home with household products and other chemicals available online.

From Los Angeles Times

Black powder hung in the gorge.

From Literature

The actual explanation, which the team was convinced best explained the stones, was that the holes were chiseled out to take black powder to blast and break up the stones when clearing fields.

From Slate