powder monkey

Also found in: Idioms, Wikipedia.
(redirected from Powder Monkeys)

powder monkey

n. Informal
One who carries or sets explosives.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

powder monkey

n
(Historical Terms) (formerly) a boy who carried powder from the magazine to the guns on warships
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pow′der mon`key


n.
a person in charge of explosives, as in a demolition crew.
[1675–85]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.powder monkey - someone who carries explosives (as from the magazine to the guns on board a warship)
assistant, helper, help, supporter - a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "my invaluable assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Mentioned in
References in periodicals archive
In another version of the story it was a young boy, one of the cannon primers or powder monkeys from the ship, who was hanged.
Your boarding expertise is drawing admiring glances from fellow powder monkeys and that's not all.
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.