WordGarden.iopower
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈaʊə/
US
- /ˈpaʊər/
Meanings
Noun
the ability or right to control people, events, or decisions
electricity or electrical energy used to run buildings, machines, or devices
strength, force, or capacity for action or effect
More meaningsFewer meanings
a country with major political or military influence
an exponent showing how many times a number is multiplied by itself
Verb
to supply with energy or make a machine, vehicle, or device operate
Beyond the definition
Power is not just about muscles or force. It is the ability to do something, to control what happens, or to affect people and events. A powerful storm can knock down trees, a powerful engine can move a car fast, and a powerful speech can change how people think.
You can also see it in everyday life. Your phone needs power to turn on and work. A leader may have power over a group or a country. Even kindness can have power because it can lift people up and inspire them. In the end, the idea is simple: it is about having the ability to make something happen.
Power has many uses, but the main idea is steady: it means having the ability, strength, or right to make something happen. Sometimes it is physical force, like the power of a wave, an explosion, or a machine. Sometimes it means control or influence, like the power a judge, teacher, government, or boss may have. It can also mean energy, as in electric power that runs lights, phones, and homes.
The word often appears in many common expressions. A person can gain power, lose power, or use power well or badly. A country can be a world power. A speaker can have the power to move a crowd. In science and technology, power can describe the rate at which energy is used or produced. In stories, people may have special powers, and in daily life we speak of inner power when someone shows strong character in a hard moment.
Power is not always loud or easy to see. It can be direct, like giving orders, or quiet, like shaping a choice without saying much. It can help, harm, protect, or control. That is why the word fits so many parts of life: nature, politics, machines, relationships, and personal growth. At heart, it is about the ability to act, affect results, and change what happens next.
Examples
- 1
Electricity outage
The power went out during the storm.
- 2
Battery energy
This battery can store enough power to run the radio all night.
- 3
Local authority
The new law gives local councils more power over housing decisions.
- Patternpower over + person/thing
control or influence over them
- 4
Personal choice
She finally had the power to choose her own career.
- Patternthe power to do + something
the ability or right to do it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal authority
The president has the power to veto the bill.
- 6
Corporate influence
Many people believe money gives large companies too much power.
- 7
Election result
After the election, a new party came to power.
- Phrasecome to power
start controlling a government or organization
- 8
Political office
He stayed in power for ten years.
- Phrasein power
controlling a government or organization
- 9
Engine performance
The engine delivers plenty of power for driving up steep hills.
- 10
Energy source
The website is powered by renewable energy.
- Patternpowered by + source
using something as its source of energy or support
- 11
Working hard
We powered through the last few pages before the meeting.
- Patternpower through + task
keep going until it is finished, even if it is hard
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- political power
- abuse of power
- come to power
- power over someone
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- powernounverb
Forms
- powerspluralnounverb
- poweredpast tenseverbnoun
- powering-ing formverbnoun