1pow·er 
/ˈpawɚ/ noun
plural pow·ers /ˈpawɚ/ noun 1 [noncount] : the ability or right to control people or things
▪ She is from a very wealthy family with a lot of social power. ▪ a politician who is hungry for power = a power-hungry politician ▪ 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. ▪ She had them in her power. [=she controlled them] ▪ I'm sorry, but I don't have it in my power to help you. [=I don't have the power to help you; I can't help you] — often + over ▪ He has no power over me. 2 [noncount] : political control of a country or area
▪ 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 latest elections put a new (political) party in power. ▪ The rebels rose/came to power several years ago. — see also black power, flower power 3 [count] a : a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations
▪ 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.
b : a country that has a lot of influence and military strength
▪ a foreign power ▪ the European powers — see also great power, superpower, world power 4 [noncount] a : physical force or strength
▪ Getting the floor clean required lots of muscle power. — often + of ▪ I was impressed by the sheer power of her tennis serve. ▪ the power of hurricane winds
b : military force
▪ They are threatening to use air/military power to resolve the conflict. — see also balance of power, firepower, sea power
c : the energy or force that someone or something can produce for movement, work, etc.
▪ He could not walk under his own power. [=he could not walk without help] ▪ The machines are running at full power. [=are doing as much work as they can possibly do] 5 a : an ability to do something [count] ▪ It's an old story, but it still has the power to frighten children. ▪ You have the power to change your life. ▪ I'll do everything within/in my power to help. [=I'll do everything that I can to help] ▪ It's in your power [=you have the ability] to change the way things are done here. — often + of ▪ He's studying the healing powers of various plants. ▪ She lost the power of speech. [=she was no longer able to speak] ▪ Some things are beyond the power of human understanding. ▪ He used all of his powers of persuasion, but she still would not agree. [noncount] ▪ Each member of the club has equal voting power. ▪ The new computer is tiny but has more computing power than many desktop computers. ▪ His position gives him great bargaining power. — see also buying power, purchasing power, staying power
b [noncount] : the ability to influence or affect people or things
▪ It was a speech of great power. ▪ A good lawyer is able to argue with power and conviction. — often + of ▪ the power of art/love/religion/television ▪ Great poetry reminds us of the power of language. — see also drawing power, pulling power 6 : the right to do something : legal or official authority to do something [count] ▪ You have the power to decide whether or not you'll agree to do it. ▪ The President has the power to veto laws passed by Congress. [noncount] ▪ The board of directors has given her power to negotiate the contract. — see also power of attorney 7 [noncount] a : energy that can be collected and used to operate machines
▪ electrical/nuclear/solar/wind/battery power ▪ The car's engine yields more power while using less fuel. — see also horsepower, manpower
b : the electricity that people use
▪ We lost power during the storm. ▪ Do you know how many watts of power your refrigerator uses per day? 8 [count] mathematics a : the number of times that a number is to be multiplied by itself
▪ 5 (raised) to the third power is 125. [=5 x 5 x 5 = 125]
b : a number that results from multiplying a number by itself
▪ 8 is a power of 2 because 2 x 2 x 2 is equal to 8. 9 [noncount] technical : the ability of an optical device (such as a telescope) to make objects look bigger
▪ the power [=magnification] of a microscope/telescope ▪ a telescope of high power
▪ She is from a very wealthy family with a lot of social power. ▪ a politician who is hungry for power = a power-hungry politician ▪ 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. ▪ She had them in her power. [=she controlled them] ▪ I'm sorry, but I don't have it in my power to help you. [=I don't have the power to help you; I can't help you] — often + over ▪ He has no power over me.
▪ 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 latest elections put a new (political) party in power. ▪ The rebels rose/came to power several years ago. — see also black power, flower power
▪ 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.
b : a country that has a lot of influence and military strength
▪ a foreign power ▪ the European powers — see also great power, superpower, world power
▪ Getting the floor clean required lots of muscle power. — often + of ▪ I was impressed by the sheer power of her tennis serve. ▪ the power of hurricane winds
b : military force
▪ They are threatening to use air/military power to resolve the conflict. — see also balance of power, firepower, sea power
c : the energy or force that someone or something can produce for movement, work, etc.
▪ He could not walk under his own power. [=he could not walk without help] ▪ The machines are running at full power. [=are doing as much work as they can possibly do]
b [noncount] : the ability to influence or affect people or things
▪ It was a speech of great power. ▪ A good lawyer is able to argue with power and conviction. — often + of ▪ the power of art/love/religion/television ▪ Great poetry reminds us of the power of language. — see also drawing power, pulling power
▪ electrical/nuclear/solar/wind/battery power ▪ The car's engine yields more power while using less fuel. — see also horsepower, manpower
b : the electricity that people use
▪ We lost power during the storm. ▪ Do you know how many watts of power your refrigerator uses per day?
▪ 5 (raised) to the third power is 125. [=5 x 5 x 5 = 125]
b : a number that results from multiplying a number by itself
▪ 8 is a power of 2 because 2 x 2 x 2 is equal to 8.
▪ the power [=magnification] of a microscope/telescope ▪ a telescope of high power
do (someone) a power of good
Brit, informal + old-fashioned : to help someone physically or mentally : to make someone feel better
▪ I think spending a day outside in the sunshine would do you a power of good. [=(US) do you a world of good]
▪ I think spending a day outside in the sunshine would do you a power of good. [=(US) do you a world of good]
more power to you (US) or Brit more power to your elbow
informal — used to say that you approve of what someone is doing and hope it will be successful ▪ If he wants to write a book, more power to him!
the corridors/halls of power
: places where people talk about issues and make important decisions especially about political matters
▪ the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
▪ the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.
the power behind the throne
: the person who secretly controls a country, organization, etc., by controlling the actions and decisions of the official leader
▪ He's the company president, but his assistant is the (real) power behind the throne.
▪ He's the company president, but his assistant is the (real) power behind the throne.
the powers that be
: the people who decide what is allowed or acceptable in a group, organization, etc.
▪ The students wanted to have a big party, but the powers that be didn't approve. ▪ I applied for the job, but I guess the powers that be didn't think I was qualified.
▪ The students wanted to have a big party, but the powers that be didn't approve. ▪ I applied for the job, but I guess the powers that be didn't think I was qualified.
synonyms power, authority, jurisdiction, command, and dominion mean the right or ability to govern, rule, or strongly influence people or situations. power is a general word that suggests the ability to control or influence what is done, felt, etc.
▪ the power of the throne ▪ the power to appoint judges ▪ The movie has the power to shape public opinion. authority suggests power that has been given to someone for a specific purpose and that has certain limits. ▪ She gave her nephew the authority to manage the estate on her behalf. jurisdiction refers to official, legal power that has certain limits. ▪ This matter is outside the court's jurisdiction. command refers to the power that someone (such as a military officer) has to make decisions and to force people to behave in a desired way. ▪ He was given command of the regiment. dominion is a formal word that stresses the greatest or highest power or authority. ▪ The country no longer has dominion over the island.
▪ the power of the throne ▪ the power to appoint judges ▪ The movie has the power to shape public opinion. authority suggests power that has been given to someone for a specific purpose and that has certain limits. ▪ She gave her nephew the authority to manage the estate on her behalf. jurisdiction refers to official, legal power that has certain limits. ▪ This matter is outside the court's jurisdiction. command refers to the power that someone (such as a military officer) has to make decisions and to force people to behave in a desired way. ▪ He was given command of the regiment. dominion is a formal word that stresses the greatest or highest power or authority. ▪ The country no longer has dominion over the island.
