power

noun, often attributive pow·er \ ˈpau̇(-ə)r \

Updated on: 17 Nov 2017

Definition of power

1 a (1) :ability to act or produce an effect

(2) :ability to get extra-base hits

(3) :capacity for being acted upon or undergoing an effect

b :legal or official authority, capacity, or right

2 a :possession of control, authority, or influence over others

b :one having such power; specifically :a sovereign state

c :a controlling group :establishment —often used in the phrase the powers that be

d archaic :a force of armed men

e chiefly dialectal :a large number or quantity

3 a :physical might

b :mental or moral efficacy

c :political control or influence

4 powers plural :an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy

5 a :the number of times as indicated by an exponent that a number occurs as a factor in a product

5 to the third power is 125

; also :the product itself

8 is a power of 2

b :cardinal number 2

6 a :a source or means of supplying energy; especially :electricity

b :motive power

c :the time rate at which work is done or energy emitted or transferred

7 :magnification 2b

8 :¹scope 3

9 :the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis in a statistical test when a particular alternative hypothesis happens to be true

See power defined for English-language learners

See power defined for kids

Examples of power in a Sentence

She is from a very wealthy family with a lot of social power.
The company abused its power, forcing workers to work overtime without pay.
The company was almost destroyed in a power struggle between its two founders.
After the emperor died, power passed to his eldest son.
the peaceful transfer of power to the newly elected president
The president was removed from power in the recent uprising.
The new government has taken power.
The rebels rose to power several years ago.
A small company with only a few products has grown to become a power in the industry.
Our state is now the region's leading economic power.

Recent Examples of power from the Web

Reactionary politics is driven by the knowledge that, as Hamilton also recognized, demagoguery provides an easier ascent to power than reason.

— ben shapiro, National Review, "Democrats Send the Country Further Down a Path of Division in Virginia," 1 Nov. 2017
Two months away from home in a highly competitive environment that is fueled by money, power and booze and in which careers are made or broken based on relationships built mainly after hours.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Florida's Capitol culture under scrutiny after sexual allegations," 4 Nov. 2017
Ratner is a longtime Hollywood power player known for directing the Rush Hour series and producing movies like Horrible Bosses and The Revenant.

— mike miller, EW.com, "Brett Ratner sues woman for defamation over rape allegation," 2 Nov. 2017
The entire island was without power and cell phone service.

— josh katzenstein, NOLA.com, "Jameis Winston feeling better this week as Buccaneers prepare for Saints," 1 Nov. 2017
That history adds a touch of irony to the new power the board was given over Medicaid in the state's latest budget.

— julie carr smyth, Cincinnati.com, "Medicaid money, including Gov. Kasich's expansion, approved despite GOP complaints," 31 Oct. 2017
Intangibles figure to play a prominent role when the powers come face to face for the third time this season.

— kevin mcgavin, Aurora Beacon-News, "Collision course: Yorkville girls aim to challenge Naperville North at state," 1 Nov. 2017
The traditional paths to power in California have been closely guarded by a Bay Area pecking order heretofore off-limits to Latino candidates.

— marcos bretón, sacbee, "California’s top Latino candidates face a tougher enemy than Trump: Fellow Democrats," 5 Nov. 2017
The seamless all-wheel drive directs power exactly where it's needed for maximum traction, with no driver input required.

— g. chambers williams iii, Houston Chronicle, "Volvo's 2017 V90 Cross Country T6 brings ultimate luxury station wagon," 3 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'power.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of power

Middle English, from Anglo-French poer, pouer, from poer to be able, from Vulgar Latin *potēre, alteration of Latin posse — more at potent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

power Synonyms

Synonyms

arm, authority, clutch, command, control, death grip, dominion, grip, hold, mastery, reign, rein (s), sway

Antonyms

impotence, impotency, powerlessness

Related Words

clout, influence, leverage, pull, voice, weight; jurisdiction; direction, management; dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy; prerogative, privilege, right; eminence, importance, moment

Near Antonyms

helplessness, weakness

Synonym Discussion of power

power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

- the power to mold public opinion

authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

- granted the authority to manage her estate

jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

- the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

- you are responsible for the students under your control

command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

- the army officer in command

sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

- the empire extended its sway over the region

dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

- given dominion over all the animals

power, force, energy, strength, might mean the ability to exert effort. power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon.

- the awesome power of flowing water

force implies the actual effective exercise of power.

- used enough force to push the door open

energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work.

- a worker with boundless energy

strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack.

- use weight training to build your strength

might implies great or overwhelming power or strength.

- the belief that might makes right

power

verb

Definition of power

transitive verb

1 :to supply with power and especially motive power

2 :to give impetus to

intransitive verb

1 :to move about by means of motive power

2 :to move with great speed or force

See power defined for English-language learners

Examples of power in a Sentence

The running back powered through the defensive line.
He powered the ball past the goalie.
She powered her way to the finish line.

Recent Examples of power from the Web

Northam has been criticized for running a lackluster campaign and for not devoting enough resources to woo African American voters in particular, who make up 20 percent of the electorate and have powered recent statewide wins for Democrats.

— Washington Post, "In the final sprint to Election Day, an historic push to turn out voters in Va," 6 Nov. 2017
Especially on offense, as quarterback Nathan Piper completed 19 of 35 passes for 324 yards and three touchdown to power the visiting Indians to a 45-30 nonleague road victory against Royal on Friday night.

— charles rich, Burbank Leader, "Burroughs football opens season on winning note," 8 Sep. 2017
Intel, whose chips power the laptops, gave Ryan Imbriale, the executive director of the district’s department of innovative learning, an Intel Education Visionary award.

— natasha singer and danielle ivory, New York Times, "How Silicon Valley Plans to Conquer the Classroom," 3 Nov. 2017
Bass fishermen are an impatient lot, no better evidenced than by their boats, sleek, aerodynamic missiles powered with monster V6 engines that propel them at better than 70 mph.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Burning for Bama Bass in fall," 4 Nov. 2017
Oak Forest 44, Bremen 29: Sean Davis' 119 yards rushing and three TDs powered Oak Forest (3-1, 2-0 SSC Blue).

— steve millar, Daily Southtown, "Football roundup: Marquel Porter and Chris Harrison team up to ignite Shepard," 17 Sep. 2017
The coal that came out of these mountains made high quality American steel, powered our power grid.

— alex beggs, Bon Appetit, "Anthony Bourdain’s Most Prized Souvenirs Include a Bronze Deer Head," 1 Oct. 2017
The innovative drive lives in every human brain, and the resulting war against the repetitive is what powers the colossal changes that distinguish one generation from the next, one decade from the next, one year from the next.

— anthony brandt and david eagleman, Smithsonian, "Where Do New Ideas Come From?," 31 Oct. 2017
The Murdochs survived the News Corporation phone-hacking scandal in the U.K. by denying, stonewalling, pleading ignorance and amnesia, and simply powering through.

— frank rich, Daily Intelligencer, "Frank Rich: What Jeff Flake Couldn’t Bring Himself to Say About Donald Trump," 25 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of power

1540

power

adjective

Definition of power

1 :operated mechanically or electrically rather than manually

a car with power locks

power tools

2 :of, relating to, or utilizing strength

plays a power game

; also :powerful 1

a power critic

3 :of, relating to, or being a meal at which influential people discuss business or politics

a power lunch

See power defined for English-language learners

Examples of power in a Sentence

The car comes equipped with power windows.

First Known Use of power

1822

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

POWER Defined for English Language Learners

power

noun

Definition of power for English Language Learners

: the ability or right to control people or things
: political control of a country or area
: a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations

power

verb

Definition of power for English Language Learners

: to supply (something) with power
: to move with great speed or force

power

adjective

Definition of power for English Language Learners

: of or relating to electrical power
: operated by using electricity rather than a person's strength
: having great strength or power

POWER Defined for Kids

power

noun pow·er \ ˈpau̇-ər \

Definition of power for Students

1 :possession of control, authority, or influence over others

2 :a nation that has influence among other nations

a foreign power

3 :the ability to act or produce an effect

It's in your power to change things.

4 :the right to do something

the president's powers

5 :physical might :strength

The wind grew in power.

6 :the number of times as shown by an exponent that a number is used as a factor to obtain a product

10³ is the third power of 10 and means 10 × 10 × 10.

7 :force or energy used to do work

electric power

8 :the rate of speed at which work is done

9 :the number of times an optical instrument (as a microscope) magnifies the object viewed

power

verb

Definition of power for Students

powered; powering

:to supply with a form of energy

The old train was powered by coal.

Medical Dictionary

power

noun pow·er \ ˈpau̇(-ə)r \

medical Definition of power

1 :an inherent property or effect

a drug that enhances the heart's pumping power
—Kathleen Fackelmann

2 :magnification 2b

Law Dictionary

power

noun pow·er

legal Definition of power

1 :capability of acting or of producing an effect

parties of unequal bargaining power

2 a :authority or capacity to act that is delegated by law or constitution —often used in pl.

— commerce power often capitalized C&P

:the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to regulate commerce especially among the states — see also commerce clause

— concurrent power

:a power that is held simultaneously by more than one entity; specifically :a power delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution that is also held by the states

— enumerated powers \i-ˈnü-mə-ˌrā-təd-, -ˈnyü-\

:the powers specifically named and delegated to the federal government or prohibited to be exercised by the states under the U.S. Constitution — compare reserved powers in this entry

— executive power

:the power delegated to the executive of a government; specifically :any or all of the powers delegated to the president under Article II of the U.S. Constitution

— implied power

:a power that is reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of a power expressly granted; especially :a power that is not specifically delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution but that is implied by the necessary and proper clause to be delegated for the purpose of carrying out the enumerated powers — see also McCulloch v. Maryland

— judicial power

:the power granted to the judicial branch of a government; specifically :the power delegated to the judiciary under Article III of the U.S. Constitution

— legislative power

:the power delegated to a legislative branch of a government; specifically :any or all of the powers delegated to Congress under Article I of the U.S. Constitution

— police power

:the power of a government to exercise reasonable control over persons and property within its jurisdiction in the interest of the general security, health, safety, morals, and welfare except where legally prohibited (as by constitutional provision)

— reserved powers

:the political powers reserved by a constitution to the exclusive jurisdiction of a specified political authority; specifically :powers that are not expressly delegated to the federal government nor expressly prohibited to the states and are therefore left to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — compare enumerated powers in this entry

— spending power

:the power granted to a government body to make expenditures; specifically :the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the U.S.

— taxing power

:the power granted to a government body to lay and collect taxes; specifically :such power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution

— war powers

:the powers delegated to the executive and legislative branches of the federal government relating to the waging of war: as

a :the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to declare war

b :the power delegated to the president under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution to serve as commander in chief of the armed forces

b :an ability, authority, or right usually conferred by one person upon another to do something that effects a change in a legal relationship; specifically :such authority or right to affect another's interest in property (as by conveyance) — see also power of appointment, power of attorney

— collateral power

:naked power in this entry

— general power

:a power that may be exercised in favor of anyone including the donee

— implied power

:the power of one acting under an implied agency

— naked power

:a power (as a power of sale) granted to one who has no interest in the property to which the power relates (as an executor who is not a legatee or devisee) — called also collateral power; compare power coupled with an interest in this entry

— power appendant \-ə-ˈpen-dənt\

:a power coupled with an interest (as a grant of a lease) that the donee can exercise only out of an estate (as a life estate) that he or she holds — called also power appurtenant

— power coupled with an interest

:a power accompanying an interest of the donee in the property to which the power relates

— power in gross

:a naked power exercisable by the donee only in the creation of estates that will not attach to the estate the donee holds or be satisfied out of the donee's own interest

— power of acceptance

:the power of an offeree to bind an offeror to a contract by accepting the offer

— power of modification \-ˌmä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən\

:a power reserved in an instrument (as one creating a trust) to make changes by a specified method

— power of revocation

:a power usually reserved by a person in an instrument (as one creating a trust) to revoke the legal relationship that the person has created or made a possibility

— power of sale

:a power granted (as in a will, trust, or mortgage) to sell the property to which the power relates often under specified circumstances (as upon the default of a mortgage)

— power of termination

:a power of a grantor or the grantor's successors in interest to enter upon an estate that was granted upon a condition after the breach of the condition in order to terminate the granted estate and revest it in the grantor or successors in interest — called also right of entry, right of reentry

— special power

:a power in which the person or class of persons to whom the disposition of property under the power is to be made is expressly designated and excludes the donee or where the power is to transfer, charge, or encumber any estate less than a fee simple

— stock power

:an irrevocable power of attorney used in making a transfer of a certificate of stock

3 a :possession of control, authority, or influence over others

b :one having such power; specifically :a sovereign state

c :political control or influence