black powder

American  

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.

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black powder British  

noun

1. another name for gunpowder

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Example Sentences

At the time of the rescue, the Ministry of Defence confirmed an Army bomb disposal team had been called out and "black powder" was taken back to its barracks.

From BBC

Among the dozens and dozens of weapons hanging on the wall for sale are double barrel black powder shotguns – akin to a musket – and a few "they-don't-make-these-anymore" Winchester rifles from the 1800s.

From BBC

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

This takes the form of a finely ground black powder dissolved in a transparent liquid -- oxalic acid.

From Science Daily