amatol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Military
Quick answer
What does “amatol” mean?
A type of explosive consisting of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and TNT.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of explosive consisting of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and TNT.
Specifically a military or industrial high explosive, used primarily in the early to mid-20th century for shells, bombs, and demolition charges.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is technical and its use is consistent across both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly historical/military/industrial. Evokes World War I and II era munitions.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Almost exclusively found in historical, military, or forensic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “amatol” in a Sentence
The shell contained ~~ was used ina mixture called ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, or forensic science texts discussing early 20th-century explosives.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Primary context. Used in military engineering, demilitarization, forensic analysis of unexploded ordnance, and historical munitions descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amatol”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amatol”
- Using it as a general term for any explosive.
- Pronouncing it as /əˈmeɪtəl/ or /ˈæmətəʊl/.
- Spelling it as 'ammatol', though this is a known variant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It has been largely superseded by more modern, stable, and powerful plastic explosives and compositions. It may still be encountered in old, unexploded ordnance.
These ratios refer to the percentage mix of ammonium nitrate (first number) to TNT (second number). For example, 80/20 amatol is 80% ammonium nitrate and 20% TNT.
No. Like all high explosives, it is extremely dangerous. Old amatol can become unstable. Suspected amatol should only be handled by qualified explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel.
It was developed to extend supplies of TNT, which was more expensive and resource-intensive to produce. Ammonium nitrate was cheaper and more plentiful.
A type of explosive consisting of a mixture of ammonium nitrate and TNT.
Amatol is usually technical/military in register.
Amatol: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæmətɒl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæməˌtɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms exist for this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AM' (Ammonium nitrate) + 'A' (And) + 'TOL' (TNT) = AMATOL.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this concrete, technical noun.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'amatol' primarily?