1pow·der 
/ˈpaʊdɚ/ noun
plural pow·ders /ˈpaʊdɚ/ noun 1 : a dry substance made up of very tiny pieces of something [noncount] ▪ garlic/chili/cocoa powder [count] ▪ The powder is made from the roots of the plant. ▪ Mix together the different powders. ▪ She crushed the peppercorns into a fine powder. — see also baking powder, chili powder, curry powder, five-spice powder, soap powder 2 [noncount] : a very fine, dry substance that is put on your body or face especially to make it dry or less shiny
▪ The girls put on their lipstick and (face) powder before heading out to the dance. ▪ We're running low on baby powder and diapers. — see picture at grooming; see also talcum powder 3 [noncount] : snow that is very light and dry
▪ We woke this morning to several inches of fresh powder on the ground. — often used before another noun ▪ powder skiing/snow 4 [noncount] : gunpowder — see also powder keg
▪ The girls put on their lipstick and (face) powder before heading out to the dance. ▪ We're running low on baby powder and diapers. — see picture at grooming; see also talcum powder
▪ We woke this morning to several inches of fresh powder on the ground. — often used before another noun ▪ powder skiing/snow
keep your powder dry
old-fashioned : to be calm and ready for a possible problem in the future
▪ They don't know how the election will turn out, so for now they're just keeping their powder dry.
▪ They don't know how the election will turn out, so for now they're just keeping their powder dry.
take a powder
US, informal + old-fashioned : to leave suddenly and quickly
▪ The boys decided to take a powder as soon as they saw there was work to be done.
▪ The boys decided to take a powder as soon as they saw there was work to be done.
