smokeless powder: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical / Historical / Military
Quick answer
What does “smokeless powder” mean?
A type of propellant for firearms that produces very little smoke when fired.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of propellant for firearms that produces very little smoke when fired.
A modern gunpowder substitute, typically based on nitrocellulose, used in ammunition for its efficiency and reduced smoke signature, which offers tactical advantages and less fouling in gun barrels.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical and historical in both contexts. May evoke themes of military modernisation (late 19th/early 20th century).
Frequency
Equally low in both dialects, confined to specialised discussions about firearms, history, or ballistics.
Grammar
How to Use “smokeless powder” in a Sentence
The rifle was loaded with smokeless powder.The adoption of smokeless powder revolutionized warfare.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific manufacturing or historical documentary contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, military, and chemical engineering texts discussing the evolution of firearms.
Everyday
Very rare. Most likely used by firearm enthusiasts, historians, or in museum contexts.
Technical
Standard term in ballistics, historical weaponry, and propellant chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “smokeless powder”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “smokeless powder”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “smokeless powder”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a smokeless powder'). It is generally uncountable.
- Confusing it with 'smokeless tobacco'.
- Misspelling as 'smoke-less powder' (hyphen is typically not used in modern compound).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It produces significantly less visible smoke than traditional black powder, but it is not completely smokeless.
It was developed and widely adopted in the late 19th century, around the 1880s and 1890s.
No, it is designed for modern firearms. Using it in a weapon designed for black powder can be extremely dangerous.
The primary base is typically nitrocellulose, sometimes combined with nitroglycerin (as in double-base powders).
A type of propellant for firearms that produces very little smoke when fired.
Smokeless powder is usually technical / historical / military in register.
Smokeless powder: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsməʊkləs ˈpaʊdə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsmoʊkləs ˈpaʊdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Smoke-LESS powder' = LESS smoke than the old black powder, a MORE modern invention.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'smokeless powder' primarily used for?