powder

1 of 2

verb

pow·​der ˈpau̇-dər 

powdered; powdering ˈpau̇-d(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder

2

: to reduce or convert to powder

3

: to hit very hard

intransitive verb

1

: to become powder

2

: to apply cosmetic powder

powderer

ˈpau̇-dər-ər 

noun

powder

2 of 2

noun

often attributive

1

: matter in a finely divided state : particulate matter

2

a

: a preparation in the form of fine particles especially for medicinal or cosmetic use

b

: fine dry light snow

3

: any of various solid explosives used chiefly in gunnery and blasting

powderless

ˈpau̇-dər-ləs 

adjective

powderlike

ˈpau̇-dər-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also take a powder

Synonyms

Verb

• atomize
• beat
• bray
• comminute
• crush
• disintegrate
• grind
• mill
• mull
• pound
• pulverize

Examples of powder in a Sentence

Verb

She powdered her face and put on lipstick.

you have to powder the antibiotic tablet and mix it with food

Noun

The powder is made from the roots of the plant.

Mix together the different powders.

She crushed the peppercorns into a fine powder.

We're running low on baby powder and diapers.

We woke this morning to several inches of fresh powder on the ground.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Hilton Rothschild took advantage of the time by powdering her nose with a brush. —Kristen Tauer, WWD, 28 Oct. 2024

That time, the company says, could be used to for a wide variety of purposes, including meals, a phone call, a nature walk or…well, powdering your nose. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024

Noun

While intermediate powder skiing is available out the back door of the hut, owner Travis Mohrman said the terrain is best suited for experienced backcountry skiers. —Margaret Jackson, The Denver Post, 13 Nov. 2024

In the end, this ski defied all of our expectations to claim the top spot in the 2025 powder ski category. —Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English poudre, from Anglo-French pudre, podre, from Latin pulver-, pulvis dust; probably akin to Sanskrit palāva chaff

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing powder

• baby powder
• baking powder
• black powder
• bleaching powder
• chili powder
• curry powder
• Dover's powder
• five-spice powder
• keep one's powder dry
• powder blue
• powder horn
• powder keg
• powder metallurgy
• powder monkey
• powder one's nose
• powder puff
• powder room
• smokeless powder
• soap powder
• take a powder
• talcum powder
• toilet powder
• tooth powder
• washing powder

Kids Definition

powder

1 of 2 noun

pow·​der ˈpau̇d-ər 

1

a

: dry material made up of fine particles

b

: something (as a food, medicine, or cosmetic) made in or changed to the form of a powder

2

: a solid explosive used in shooting or blasting

powder

2 of 2 verb

1

: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder

2

: to crush to or become powder

powderer

-ər-ər

noun

Medical Definition

powder

noun

pow·​der ˈpau̇d-ər 

: a product in the form of discrete usually fine particles

specifically : a medicine or medicated preparation in the form of a powder

antiseptic powder

digestive powder

Geographical Definition

Powder

geographical name

Pow·​der ˈpau̇-dər 

1

river 150 miles (241 kilometers) long in eastern Oregon flowing into the Snake River

2

river 375 miles (604 kilometers) long in northern Wyoming and southeastern Montana flowing north into the Yellowstone River