# POW

/ˈpaʊ/ (US) · /pˈaʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pow
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. prisoner of war

noun · CEFR B2

Stands for Prisoner of War; a soldier who is captured by the enemy during a war.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Prisoner of War. Refers to a person, usually a member of the armed forces, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict.

- The museum has a section dedicated to the stories of POWs during World War II.
- International conventions dictate the humanitarian treatment that must be afforded to any POW captured during active hostilities.

### 3. powder snow

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

a short way to say 'powder' — the soft, fresh, deep snow that skiers love.

For teachers: A clipping of 'powder'. Refers to fine, dry, lightweight snow that has recently fallen and is considered ideal for skiing and snowboarding.

- We headed to the mountains early to catch the fresh pow after the storm.
- The resort was crowded with enthusiasts eager to experience the deep pow following a record-breaking overnight snowfall.

### 4. place of worship

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

Stands for Place of Worship; a building like a church, mosque, or temple where people go to pray.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Place of Worship. Used in administrative, urban planning, or sociological contexts to categorise buildings used for religious practice.

- The city council approved the construction of a new POW in the residential district.
- The urban development plan included specific zoning requirements for any new POW to ensure adequate parking and noise mitigation.

### 5. computing/crypto

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for Proof of Work; a system used in computer networks and cryptocurrency to confirm that a task was done.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Proof of Work. A consensus mechanism or cryptographic protocol used to deter cyberattacks and validate transactions in a blockchain.

- Bitcoin uses a PoW system to secure its network and create new coins.
- Critics of PoW algorithms often point to the significant electrical energy required to maintain the network's security.

## Examples

- The soldiers were taken as POWs during the battle.
- International laws set strict rules for how a country must treat a POW during a conflict.
- Historians have documented the harrowing experiences of those held in POW camps, focusing on the psychological toll of prolonged captivity and the complex social structures that emerged among the detainees.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.