power
POW-uh
Power (noun) means the ability to do something, or to control and influence people or events. Example: “The new CEO has the power to restructure the entire company.”
noun
1
The ability to do something, or to control and influence people or events.
"The new CEO has the power to restructure the entire company."
"Voters ultimately decide who holds political power."
"A good teacher has the power to change how children feel about learning."
2
Physical strength or energy, especially electricity.
"The storm knocked out power to half the town."
"The power went off, so we ate dinner by candlelight."
"The engine has enough power to pull a heavy trailer up the hill."
3
In mathematics, the result of multiplying a number by itself a given number of times.
"The teacher asked us to write the fourth power of two on the board."
"Raising a number to a higher power makes the result grow very quickly."
"Ten to the power of three equals a thousand."
verb
1
To supply energy to a device so it can run.
"Solar panels power the entire house."
"A small motor powers the fan in the bathroom."
"Wind turbines power many homes along the coast."
How to use power
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ability to control, influence, or act — or, in a more physical sense, energy or electricity.
Common pairings
in power
power outage
raise to the power of
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Word forms
- Plural
- powers
- Third person singular
- powers
- Past tense
- powered
- Comparative
- more power
- Superlative
- most power
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new CEO has the _____ to restructure the entire company.
Etymology
From Old French poeir, from Vulgar Latin potere, related to Latin posse, "to be able" — the same root as "potent" and "possible".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for power
See all rhymes for power →Frequently asked questions
What does “power” mean?
The word “power” means the ability to do something, or to control and influence people or events. In plain terms, the ability to control, influence, or act — or, in a more physical sense, energy or electricity.
How do you pronounce “power”?
“Power” is pronounced POW-uh (/ˈpaʊ̯.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “power” in a sentence?
Here is “power” used in a sentence: “The new CEO has the power to restructure the entire company.”
What is another word for “power”?
Words with a similar meaning to “power” include aptitude, arm, authority, capability, capacity and clout.
What is the opposite of “power”?
The opposite of “power” — its antonyms — are impotence and weakness.
What part of speech is “power”?
Depending on how it is used, “power” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “power” come from?
The word “power” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French poeir, from Vulgar Latin potere, related to Latin posse, "to be able" — the same root as "potent" and "possible".
Is “power” a common word?
“Power” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between power and authority?
Power is the actual ability to influence or control people and events, however it is obtained. Authority is the recognised, legitimate right to exercise power, granted by a role, law, or agreement. A person can hold power without authority, or authority without real power to enforce it.
What is the difference between power and strength?
Strength is inherent force or robustness, often physical, like a strong rope or a strong arm. Power is the capacity to act or to influence others and events, which may rely on strength but also on knowledge, position, or resources. Strength is what you have, and power is what you can do with it.
What are the types of power?
In social terms, researchers often list coercive power (force or threat), reward power (offering benefits), legitimate power (from position), expert power (from knowledge), and referent power (from respect or charisma). These describe the different sources from which a person's influence over others can flow.
Is power good or bad?
Power itself is neutral, as it is simply the capacity to make things happen. Whether it helps or harms depends on how it is used and who holds it. The same influence can protect people or exploit them, which is why power is so often paired with responsibility and accountability.
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