blasting powder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “blasting powder” mean?
A type of explosive powder, typically containing potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur, used for blasting rock in mining, quarrying, and construction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of explosive powder, typically containing potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur, used for blasting rock in mining, quarrying, and construction.
A historical or general term for coarse-grained gunpowder-like explosives used for industrial demolition, in contrast to the more refined powders used for firearms or propellants.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the term's core meaning. The specific historical formulations or brand names (e.g., 'Hercules Blasting Powder' in the US) may vary by region.
Connotations
Both regions associate the term with 19th/early 20th-century mining, quarrying, and major construction projects like canal or railway building.
Frequency
Equally low and technical in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in historical texts, documentaries, or specialist contexts than in contemporary usage.
Grammar
How to Use “blasting powder” in a Sentence
The [miners/quarry workers] used blasting powder to [fracture/remove/demolish] the [rock/granite].[Quantity] of blasting powder was [stored/handled] with great care.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blasting powder” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rock was blasted using a special powder.
- They planned to blast the obstruction with powder.
American English
- They blasted through the granite with powder.
- The crew blasted the old foundation using black powder.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In historical business records of mining or construction companies, referring to procurement and costs.
Academic
In historical, engineering, or industrial archaeology texts discussing pre-20th century explosive technologies.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in historical novels, films, or museum descriptions.
Technical
Used in historical or comparative contexts within mining engineering, demolition, and explosives safety literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blasting powder”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blasting powder”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blasting powder”
- Using 'blasting powder' to refer to modern slurry explosives or dynamite.
- Incorrect pluralisation (*blasting powders) when referring to the substance as a category.
- Confusing it with 'blasting cap' (the detonator).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are chemically similar (often both are black powder), but 'blasting powder' is typically coarser-grained and formulated for slower, heaving power in demolition, while 'gunpowder' for firearms is more refined for consistent propulsion.
Its use is very rare and largely historical. It has been almost entirely replaced by safer, more powerful, and more controllable high explosives like dynamite, ANFO, or emulsion slurries in modern mining and construction.
It is highly flammable, sensitive to sparks and friction, and deteriorates over time, becoming unstable. It produces large amounts of toxic fumes (mainly carbon monoxide) when ignited in confined spaces.
No, not accurately. In contemporary technical contexts, it is a historical term. Referring to modern bulk industrial explosives as 'blasting powder' would be anachronistic and imprecise.
A type of explosive powder, typically containing potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur, used for blasting rock in mining, quarrying, and construction.
Blasting powder is usually technical/historical in register.
Blasting powder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblɑːstɪŋ ˌpaʊdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblæstɪŋ ˌpaʊdɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this technical compound noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine miners BLASTING a mountain side with a fine POWDER, creating a huge cloud of dust.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWDER AS POTENTIAL ENERGY: The inert powder contains latent, destructive force that is released by fire.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes 'blasting powder' from modern high explosives like TNT?