'TNT' originates from the chemical name 'trinitrotoluene', where 'tri-' means 'three', 'nitro' refers to the nitro group, and 'toluene' is a type of hydrocarbon.

'Trinitrotoluene' was abbreviated to 'TNT' for ease of reference in military and industrial contexts.

Initially, it was a chemical compound, but over time it became synonymous with explosive power.