powder

UK: /ˈpaʊdə^r/ US: /ˈpaʊdɚ/ ,(pou′dər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pow•der¹ /ˈpaʊdɚ/   n. 

1. matter pounded into a state of tiny, loose particles by crushing, grinding, etc.;
   a preparation in this form, as gunpowder:
   [uncountable] some powder for after the bath.
   [countable] powders and other cosmetics.
2. [uncountable] loose, usually fresh snow that is not grainy, wet, or packed.

v. [~ + object]

3. to make into powder:
   powdered milk.
4. to apply powder to (the face, skin, etc.) as a cosmetic:
   She powdered her face before going out.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pow•der¹  (pou′dər), n. 

1. British Terms any solid substance reduced to a state of fine, loose particles by crushing, grinding, disintegration, etc.
2. British Terms a preparation in this form, as gunpowder or face powder.
3. Also, powder snow. [Skiing.] loose, usually fresh snow that is not granular, wet, or packed.

v.t. 

4. to reduce to powder;
   pulverize.
5. to sprinkle or cover with powder:
   She powdered the cookies with confectioners' sugar.
6. to apply powder to (the face, skin, etc.) as a cosmetic.
7. to sprinkle or strew as if with powder:
   A light snowfall powdered the landscape.
8. to ornament in this fashion, as with small objects scattered over a surface:
   a dress lightly powdered with sequins.

v.i. 

9. to use powder as a cosmetic.
10. to become pulverized.

• Old French poudrer, derivative of poudre
• Latin pulver- (stem of pulvis) dust, powder; akin to pollen; (verb, verbal) Middle English poudren
• Old French
• (noun, nominal) Middle English poudre 1250–1300

pow′der•er, n. 

pow•der²  (pou′dər), v.i. 

1. [Brit. Dial.] to rush.

n. 

2. [Brit. Dial.] a sudden, frantic, or impulsive rush.
3. Slang Terms take a powder, to leave in a hurry;
   depart without taking leave, as to avoid something unpleasant:
   He took a powder and left his mother to worry about his gambling debts.

Also, take a runout powder. 

• origin, originally uncertain 1625–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

powder / ˈpaʊdə/ noun

1. a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles
2. any of various preparations in this form, such as gunpowder, face powder, or soap powder
3. fresh loose snow, esp when considered as skiing terrain
4. keep one's powder dry ⇒ to remain in a state of preparedness
5. take a powder ⇒ to run away or disappear

verb

1. to turn into powder; pulverize
2. (transitive) to cover or sprinkle with or as if with powder

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French poldre, from Latin pulvis dust

ˈpowderer noun

ˈpowdery adjective