dynamite

American  

[dahy-nuh-mahyt] / ˈdaɪ nəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. a high explosive, originally consisting of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent substance, now with ammonium nitrate usually replacing the nitroglycerin.

2. any person or thing having a spectacular effect.

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verb (used with object)

dynamited, dynamiting

1. to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite.

   Saboteurs dynamited the dam.

2. to mine or charge with dynamite.

adjective

1. Informal. creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great; topnotch.

   a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

dynamite British  

/ ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt /

noun

1. an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine or ammonium nitrate mixed with kieselguhr, sawdust, or wood pulp

2. informal a spectacular or potentially dangerous person or thing

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verb

1. (tr) to mine or blow up with dynamite

dynamite Scientific  

/ dī′nə-mīt′ /

1. A powerful explosive used in blasting and mining. It typically consists of nitroglycerin and a nitrate (especially sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate), combined with an absorbent material that makes it safer to handle.

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Other Word Forms

• dynamiter noun
• dynamitic adjective
• dynamitically adverb
• undynamited adjective

Etymology

Origin of dynamite

From Swedish dynamit, introduced by Alfred Bernhard Nobel ( def. ), its inventor in 1867; dynam-, -ite ¹

Explanation

Dynamite is a material that explodes when it's detonated. Dynamite has long been used in mining, for blasting open layers of rock. Dynamite is not the kind of thing you buy at the corner hardware store. Dynamite was invented in 1867 by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, chemist, and engineer. Builders and miners were happy about the new explosive, since dynamite was stronger and safer than those that came before it. Nobel named his invention dynamit, a Swedish version of the Greek dynamis, "power." The earliest figurative meaning was "dangerous," but in the 1960s it came to also mean "excellent" or "impressive."

Example Sentences

Denford’s steadily growing “nobody cares” audience regularly tosses sticks of dynamite into that vortex in the name of protecting our sanity.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Norton added: "Bringing him and Bad Bunny together to tell the true story of Puerto Rico's roots is going to be like a flame finding the stick of dynamite that's been waiting for it."

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Balancing earnest schmaltz with sharp humor, the show works best as a hangout comedy about an extended friend group with dynamite chemistry, with echoes of previous Bill Lawrence shows like “Scrubs” and “Cougar Town.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

It’s a reference to the Nobel Peace Prize and its founder, Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist who invented dynamite.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

He passes me the piece of dynamite formerly known as his phone.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• nitroglycerin