First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1power
noun, pow·er often attributive \ˈpau̇(-ə)r\
: the ability or right to control people or things
: political control of a country or area
: a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations
Full Definition of POWER
1
a (1) : ability to act or produce an effect (2) : ability to get extra-base hits (3) : capacity for being acted upon or undergoing an effect b : legal or official authority, capacity, or right
2
a : possession of control, authority, or influence over others b : one having such power; specifically : a sovereign state c : a controlling group : establishment —often used in the phrase the powers that be d archaic : a force of armed men e chiefly dialect : a large number or quantity
3
a : physical might b : mental or moral efficacy c : political control or influence
4
plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy
5
a : the number of times as indicated by an exponent that a number occurs as a factor in a product <5 to the third power is 125>; also : the product itself <8 is a power of 2> b : cardinal number 2
6
a : a source or means of supplying energy; especially : electricity b : motive power c : the time rate at which work is done or energy emitted or transferred
7
: magnification 2b
8
: 1scope 3
9
: the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis in a statistical test when a particular alternative hypothesis happens to be true
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Origin of POWER
Middle English, from Anglo-French poer, pouer, from poer to be able, from Vulgar Latin *potēre, alteration of Latin posse — more at potent
Related to POWER
Synonym Discussion of POWER
power, authority, jurisdiction, control, command, sway, dominion mean the right to govern or rule or determine. power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence <the power to mold public opinion>. authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits <granted the authority to manage her estate>. jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits <the bureau having jurisdiction over parks>. control stresses the power to direct and restrain <you are responsible for the students under your control>. command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience <the army officer in command>. sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence <the empire extended its sway over the region>. dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority <given dominion over all the animals>.power, force, energy, strength, might mean the ability to exert effort. power may imply latent or exerted physical, mental, or spiritual ability to act or be acted upon <the awesome power of flowing water>. force implies the actual effective exercise of power <used enough force to push the door open>. energy applies to power expended or capable of being transformed into work <a worker with boundless energy>. strength applies to the quality or property of a person or thing that makes possible the exertion of force or the withstanding of strain, pressure, or attack <use weight training to build your strength>. might implies great or overwhelming power or strength <the belief that might makes right>.
2power
verb
: to supply (something) with power
: to move with great speed or force
Full Definition of POWER
transitive verb
1
: to supply with power and especially motive power
2
: to give impetus to
intransitive verb
1
: to move about by means of motive power
2
: to move with great speed or force
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First Known Use of POWER
1540
3power
adjective
: of or relating to electrical power
: operated by using electricity rather than a person's strength
: having great strength or power
Full Definition of POWER
1
: operated mechanically or electrically rather than manually <a car with power locks> <power tools>
2
: of, relating to, or utilizing strength <plays a power game>; also : powerful 1 <a power critic>
3
: of, relating to, or being a meal at which influential people discuss business or politics <a power lunch>
See power defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of POWER
1822
Other Electrical Engineering Terms
POWER Defined for Kids
1power
noun pow·er \ˈpau̇-ər\
Definition of POWER for Kids
1
: possession of control, authority, or influence over others
2
: a nation that has influence among other nations <a foreign power>
3
: the ability to act or produce an effect <It's in your power to change things.>
4
: the right to do something <the president's powers>
5
: physical might : strength <The wind grew in power.>
6
: the number of times as shown by an exponent that a number is used as a factor to obtain a product <103 is the third power of 10 and means 10 × 10 × 10.>
7
: force or energy used to do work <electric power>
8
: the rate of speed at which work is done
9
: the number of times an optical instrument (as a microscope) magnifies the object viewed
2power
verb
pow·eredpow·er·ing
Definition of POWER for Kids
: to supply with a form of energy <The old train was powered by coal.>
Medical Dictionary
power
noun pow·er \ˈpau̇(-ə)r\
Medical Definition of POWER
1
: an inherent property or effect <a drug that enhances the heart's pumping power—Kathleen Fackelmann>
2
: magnification 2b
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