power

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /paʊə/, SAMPA: /paU@/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /paʊɚ/, SAMPA: /paU@`/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular power

Plural powers

1. (uncountable) Strength, energy, force, control. A quality that can make things happen.

   His muscles have a lot of power.

   The prime minister has power over the country.

   Fight the power! (Meaning, "Fight authority!")

2. (uncountable) Energy or electricity.

   The city had no lights that night because there was no power.

3. (uncountable); (physics) Power is how fast something uses energy. That is, how much work it does in a certain time.
4. (countable); (mathematics) $x$ to the power of $y$ is equal to $x$ multiplied by itself $y$ times.

   Two to the power of three is eight ($2^{3}=8$).

5. (countable) A special ability that someone might have.

   In comic books many heroes have amazing powers.

   Television often shows witches as having magical powers.

6. (countable) A person or group of people with authority; that is a people who control things.

   The mayor and the sheriff are the major powers in this town.

   China and the United States are two of the main world powers.

   I like the idea, but the powers that be will not allow it.

See also

• energy
• work

Verb

Plain form power

Third-person singular powers

Past tense powered

Past participle powered

Present participle powering

1. (transitive) To provide power for or give power to (a mechanical or electronic device).

   This CD player is powered by batteries.

Related words

• power down
• power up
• empower