high explosive

American  

noun

1. a class of explosive, as TNT, in which the reaction is so rapid as to be practically instantaneous, used in shells and bombs.

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high explosive British  

noun

1. an extremely powerful chemical explosive, such as TNT or gelignite

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Other Word Forms

• high-explosive adjective

Etymology

Origin of high explosive

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Camp Pendleton advised nearby residents that there will be live-fire training with high explosive munitions through Sunday, which will result in some roads on base being closed.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2025

The company's Facebook page says it manufactures "various high explosive compositions and specialty products" for the US Department of Defense as well as US industrial markets.

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

So Bradbury Reid’s father moved his family into tents a couple of miles from the lab, within earshot of high explosive tests, until permanent housing on the site became available.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 22, 2023

It can shoot a standard M-107 high explosive round about 15 miles or 25 miles if using an M-982 Excalibur extended range guided artillery shell.

From Washington Times • Apr. 28, 2022

This name was originally applied to his mixture of nitroglycerin with kieselguhr, but now includes also other mechanical mixtures or chemical compounds which develop a high explosive force as compared with gunpowder.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various