English Reference

Word

power

Phoneticspow·er

US/ˈpaʊɝ/

UK/pˈaʊɐ/

Definitions

01control or influence

A2

n. the ability to control people or things, or to influence how they behave.

n. the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events.

“The new president has the power to change the country's laws.”

“The executive branch holds the power to veto legislation, though this authority is balanced by the oversight of the judicial system.”

02electricity

A2

n. energy that is used to provide light or heat, or to make machines work.

n. electrical energy supplied to a building, device, or area.

“The storm was so bad that the power went out for three hours.”

“The data centre requires a constant supply of power to ensure that the servers remain operational during peak traffic periods.”

03physical strength

B1

n. physical strength or force.

n. physical might or the capacity to exert great force.

“The boxer used all his power to win the final round.”

“The engine's power was evident as the heavy truck climbed the steep mountain pass without slowing down.”

Antonyms

04math exponent

B2 · Math

n. the number of times you multiply a number by itself.

n. the product of multiplying a number by itself a specified number of times.

“Two to the power of three is eight.”

“In this equation, the variable is raised to the fourth power, which significantly increases the value as x grows.”

Technical

Synonyms

05to supply energy

B1

v. to provide the energy or electricity that a machine needs to work.

v. to supply a device or machine with mechanical or electrical energy.

“This small battery can power the entire radio for a week.”

“The remote village is now powered entirely by solar panels installed on the roofs of the local school and clinic.”

Synonyms

06impressive

C1

adj. something that is very impressive or excellent.

adj. used to describe something as highly impressive, effective, or excellent.

“That goal he scored was power.”

“The performance last night was truly power, leaving the entire audience in absolute silence before the standing ovation.”

Informal · Dialect

Usage

Common in Singaporean and Malaysian English (Manglish/Singlish).

Antonyms

Collocations

power outagespower gridspower plantspower linespower plantpower systempower to demandpower comes

Word family

Related words

Idioms

brown power — The production of electricity made from conventional sources, such as coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear power.

come to power — To be installed in high office, for example as a king, president, or prime minister.

grey power — The collective political, economic, and social influence of senior citizens, especially when they are mobilized by a common interest.

poor power — Limited ability.

power behind the throne — Someone who appears to be without special status, but who has great covert influence on a person in authority.

power coffee — A working session or seminar at which important discussions may be held, and important decisions made, over servings of coffee or at a coffeehouse.

power grab — An attempt to gain authority in an oppressive or unscrupulous way.

power lunch — A working lunch at which bosses make business decisions or hold important discussions.

power luncher — One who attends or participates in a power lunch.

power lunching — The act or practice of holding or organizing power lunches.

Show all 14

power of the pencil — The authority to charge a punter's gambling or other bills to the casino.

power of the purse — The control of finances by one group used as a check on the power of another group.

powers that be — The holders of power or the authorities in a given situation, especially if seen as being faceless or unreasonably bureaucratic.

pulling power — A person's ability to attract other people sexually.

Domains

MathematicsPhysicsStatistics

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Very common
Updated

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