dynamite

[ dahy-nuh-mahyt ]
/ ˈdaɪ nəˌmaɪt /

noun

a high explosive, originally consisting of nitroglycerin mixed with an absorbent substance, now with ammonium nitrate usually replacing the nitroglycerin.
any person or thing having a spectacular effect.

verb (used with object), dy·na·mit·ed, dy·na·mit·ing.

to blow up, shatter, or destroy with dynamite: Saboteurs dynamited the dam.
to mine or charge with dynamite.

adjective

Informal. creating a spectacular or optimum effect; great; topnotch: a dynamite idea; a dynamite crew.

Origin of dynamite

1867; < Swedish dynamit, introduced by A. B. Nobel, its inventor; see dyna(m)-, -ite1

OTHER WORDS FROM dynamite

dy·na·mit·er, noun dy·na·mit·ic [dahy-nuh-mit-ik] /ˌdaɪ nəˈmɪt ɪk/, adjective dy·na·mit·i·cal·ly, adverb un·dy·na·mit·ed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for dynamite

British Dictionary definitions for dynamite

dynamite
/ (ˈdaɪnəˌmaɪt) /

noun

an explosive consisting of nitroglycerine or ammonium nitrate mixed with kieselguhr, sawdust, or wood pulp
informal a spectacular or potentially dangerous person or thing

verb

(tr) to mine or blow up with dynamite

Derived forms of dynamite

dynamiter, noun

Word Origin for dynamite

C19 (coined by Alfred Nobel): from dynamo- + -ite 1

Scientific definitions for dynamite

dynamite
[ dīnə-mīt′ ]

A powerful explosive used in blasting and mining. It typically consists of nitroglycerin and a nitrate (especially sodium nitrate or ammonium nitrate), combined with an absorbent material that makes it safer to handle.