noun
Uncommon
firepower
Firepower (noun) means the destructive capacity of weapons available to a military force. Example: “The battalion had enough firepower to hold the ridge for weeks.”
noun
1
The destructive capacity of weapons available to a military force.
"The battalion had enough firepower to hold the ridge for weeks."
2
Figuratively, the resources or ability needed to dominate a situation.
"It was not as if the Knicks were short on firepower, at least. Derrick Rose scored a season-high 30 points. He played like the point guard the Knicks surely hoped they had acquired in June."
— Mike Vorkunov, Despite Flash of Rose’s Prime, Knicks Are Dazed by Westbrook and Thunder (2016)
"The startup lacked the firepower to compete with the industry giant."
"He'd have to be on every one of his toes, because Larry Cohen, the insurance company's lawyer, would protect the doctor with every bit of legal firepower at his disposal."
— James Scott Bell, No Legal Grounds (2009)
How to use firepower
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWeapons strength, or more broadly, the resources to overpower a rival.
Common pairings
overwhelming firepower
financial firepower
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Word forms
- Plural
- firepowers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The battalion had enough _____ to hold the ridge for weeks.
Etymology
From fire and power.
Rhymes for firepower
See all rhymes for firepower →Frequently asked questions
What does “firepower” mean?
The word “firepower” means the destructive capacity of weapons available to a military force. In plain terms, weapons strength, or more broadly, the resources to overpower a rival.
How do you use “firepower” in a sentence?
Here is “firepower” used in a sentence: “The battalion had enough firepower to hold the ridge for weeks.”
What part of speech is “firepower”?
“Firepower” is a noun.
Is “firepower” a common word?
“Firepower” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “firepower” have?
“Firepower” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the destructive capacity of weapons available to a military force.
