gunpowder

Everyday

Gunpowder is a black powder that explodes when lit, made from saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur; it was used in old guns and cannons and is still used in fireworks. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons gunpowder was invented in China, first used for fireworks and then weapons, and changed warfare around the world. In the UK, the Gunpowder Plot was a failed plan by Guy Fawkes and others to blow up Parliament and King James I, remembered on Bonfire Night with fireworks. In science lessons it shows a chemical reaction that gives out heat, light and gas very fast. Phrases: the Gunpowder Plot, barrels of gunpowder, keep your powder dry.

Examples

• Gunpowder was invented in ancient China. tree →
• Guy Fawkes hid barrels of gunpowder under Parliament. tree →
• We remember the Gunpowder Plot on Bonfire Night. tree →
• Fireworks use a kind of gunpowder to shoot into the sky. tree →
• Pirates kept their gunpowder dry in the ship's hold. tree →
• Gunpowder is a mixture of saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur. tree →
• Never play with fireworks or anything that contains gunpowder. tree →
• The cannon fired with a bang and a puff of gunpowder smoke. tree →
• The air was cold, the battle was hot; there was mist in the air, but still more gunpowder-smoke. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some gunpowder», «barrels of gunpowder», not «a gunpowder». Compound word: gun + powder. Safety: gunpowder and fireworks are dangerous and only adults should handle them. «Gunpowder tea» is a kind of green tea rolled into little balls, not explosive.