powder
1 of 2verb
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 2noun
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
ELLE, 22 Apr. 2022 From pencils to gel to powder; these will be the only products for your celebrity like fluffy brows. Daisy Maldonado, SELF, 30 Mar. 2022 Mills the size of phone booths grind the bugs to powder. Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022 Syrup and butter are to sweet pancakes what podi (which translates to powder) and chutney are to these savory ones. Urmila Ramakrishnan, Bon Appétit, 24 Mar. 2022 Khan contrasts this whispery realism, meanwhile, with stark breaks to dissociative fantasy reflecting Mary’s inner turmoil: In her reveries, a ceiling cracks and crashes and floods, and the white cliffs of Dover crumble to powder. Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Mar. 2022 Like when a mourning Slate skips throwing her ex’s clothes out the window and instead dumps his protein powder down the drain (which blows up in her face, like a cloud of smoke). Sara Butler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2022 The big white Christmas news came for Seattle late Saturday in a region unaccustomed to powder on Dec. 25. NBC News, 27 Dec. 2021 Forecasters estimate a likely La Niña visit to this part of the country, which if true, translates to powder for days and days—until May 2022 to be precise. Stacey Lastoe, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2021 Journal Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Shin also recommends avoiding loose powder or glittery eyeshadows, which can build up on the roots of your lashes, eventually weakening them and leading to breakage. Katheryn Erickson, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2022 This self-warming, powder-to-mousse formula is infused with charcoal and turmeric to draw out impurities from pores like a magnet and leave skin glowing and fresh. Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Drink patriotically with the Red, White and Bluetiful matcha made with vanilla almond milk, collagen, blueberry and beet powder ($8.95) available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 In 2017, the company recalled the snacks because they were packaged with other cookies that contained milk powder, which could cause an allergic reaction in some people. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 30 Aug. 2022 In another bowl stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2022 Their unique jars, blended with good-for-you ingredients like beetroot powder, matcha and ginger root, are the perfect addition to any sweet or savory dish. Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022 Mojo de ajo, raw salsa verde, white onion, cilantro, chile pequin powder, house corn tortillas. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Aug. 2022 See More
Verb
Bronzers come in various formulas—from liquid to powder to cream—but the one for you ultimately comes down to your skin type. ELLE, 22 Apr. 2022 From pencils to gel to powder; these will be the only products for your celebrity like fluffy brows. Daisy Maldonado, SELF, 30 Mar. 2022 Mills the size of phone booths grind the bugs to powder. Brittany J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2022 Syrup and butter are to sweet pancakes what podi (which translates to powder) and chutney are to these savory ones. Urmila Ramakrishnan, Bon Appétit, 24 Mar. 2022 Khan contrasts this whispery realism, meanwhile, with stark breaks to dissociative fantasy reflecting Mary’s inner turmoil: In her reveries, a ceiling cracks and crashes and floods, and the white cliffs of Dover crumble to powder. Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Mar. 2022 Like when a mourning Slate skips throwing her ex’s clothes out the window and instead dumps his protein powder down the drain (which blows up in her face, like a cloud of smoke). Sara Butler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2022 The big white Christmas news came for Seattle late Saturday in a region unaccustomed to powder on Dec. 25. NBC News, 27 Dec. 2021 Forecasters estimate a likely La Niña visit to this part of the country, which if true, translates to powder for days and days—until May 2022 to be precise. Stacey Lastoe, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2021 Noun
In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Journal Sentinel, 9 Sep. 2022 Shin also recommends avoiding loose powder or glittery eyeshadows, which can build up on the roots of your lashes, eventually weakening them and leading to breakage. Katheryn Erickson, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2022 This self-warming, powder-to-mousse formula is infused with charcoal and turmeric to draw out impurities from pores like a magnet and leave skin glowing and fresh. Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Drink patriotically with the Red, White and Bluetiful matcha made with vanilla almond milk, collagen, blueberry and beet powder ($8.95) available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 In 2017, the company recalled the snacks because they were packaged with other cookies that contained milk powder, which could cause an allergic reaction in some people. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 30 Aug. 2022 In another bowl stir together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2022 Their unique jars, blended with good-for-you ingredients like beetroot powder, matcha and ginger root, are the perfect addition to any sweet or savory dish. Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022 Mojo de ajo, raw salsa verde, white onion, cilantro, chile pequin powder, house corn tortillas. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
powder 1 of 2
verb
pow·der ˈpau̇-dər
powdered; powdering
1
: to sprinkle or cover with or as if with fine particles of something
The cookies were powdered with sugar.
2
: to reduce or change to powder
powder
2 of 2noun
1
: a dry substance made up of fine particles
The stone was crushed into powder.
2
: something (as a food, medicine, or cosmetic) made in or changed to the form of a powder
garlic powder
3
: gunpowder
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
powdered
verb
as in crushed
to reduce to fine particles you have to powder the antibiotic tablet and mix it with food Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- crushed
- pounded
- pulverized
- ground
- disintegrated
- grated
- crumbled
- milled
- beat
- atomized
- comminuted
- mulled
- smashed
- brayed
- fractured
- kibbled
- shattered
- fragmented
- micronized
- broke
- crunched
- splintered
- dashed
- busted
- bust
- Harvey
- Harvey Wallbanger
- harvey wallbangers
- harveys
- Harwich
- Haryana
- Harz
- harzburgite
- Harīrūd
- has
- has (to)
- has a busy social life
- has a fit
- has a go at
- has a grip on
- has a head for heights
- has a hectic social life
- has a soft spot for
- has against
- has another think coming
- has at
- has done
- has done (with)
- has done with
- has got to