powdered; powdering
ˈpau̇-d(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder
2
: to reduce or convert to powder
3
: to hit very hard
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
see also take a powder
Synonyms
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
Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
On stage, Kelce powdered Swift’s nose and told her to smile before the next act.
—Alexandra Ma, Washington Post, 24 June 2024
Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2024
Bosses who have been keeping their powder dry and investors worried about political volatility will be reassured.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for powder 
Verb
During the segment, Kelce, 34, powdered Swift’s face and showed off a few dance moves while dressed in a top hat and tuxedo alongside her dancers.
—Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 2 July 2024
On stage, Kelce powdered Swift’s nose and told her to smile before the next act.
—Alexandra Ma, Washington Post, 24 June 2024
Noun
Matcha lovers will recognize the small bamboo whisk, called a chasen, that’s used to break up tiny clumps of the fine powder and dissolve it evenly into water.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2024
Bosses who have been keeping their powder dry and investors worried about political volatility will be reassured.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for powder
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'powder.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near powder
Cite this Entry
“Powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powder. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 verb1
: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with powder
2
: to crush to or become powder
powderer
noun
-ər-ər
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
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