power
♦♦♦ pow|er /p'aʊər/ (powers powering powered)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
If someone has power, they have a lot of control over people and activities.
In a democracy, power must be divided.
...a political power struggle between the Liberals and National Party.
2 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N to-inf, N of n
Your power to do something is your ability to do it.
Human societies have the power to solve the problems confronting them...
He was so drunk that he had lost the power of speech.
3 [N-UNCOUNT] poss N
If it is in or within your power to do something, you are able to do it or you have the resources to deal with it.
Your debt situation is only temporary, and it is within your power to resolve it...
4 [N-UNCOUNT] also N in pl, oft the N to-inf
If someone in authority has the power to do something, they have the legal right to do it.
The police have the power of arrest...
5 [N-UNCOUNT] oft in N
If people take power or come to power, they take charge of a country's affairs. If a group of people are in power, they are in charge of a country's affairs.
In 1964 Labour came into power...
He first assumed power in 1970...
The party has been in power since independence in 1964.
6 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
You can use power to refer to a country that is very rich or important, or has strong military forces.
In Western eyes, Iraq is a major power in an area of great strategic importance.
7 [N-UNCOUNT] usu supp N
The power of something is the ability that it has to move or affect things.
The Roadrunner had better power, better tyres, and better brakes.
...massive computing power.
8 [N-UNCOUNT]
Power is energy, especially electricity, that is obtained in large quantities from a fuel source and used to operate lights, heating, and machinery.
Nuclear power is cleaner than coal...
Power has been restored to most parts that were hit last night by high winds...
9 [VERB] V n
The device or fuel that powers a machine provides the energy that the machine needs in order to work.
The `flywheel' battery, it is said, could power an electric car for 600 miles on a single charge...
● -powered [COMB in ADJ]
...battery-powered radios.
...nuclear-powered submarines.
see also high-powered
10 [ADJ] ADJ n
Power tools are operated by electricity.
...large power tools, such as chainsaws.
...a power drill.
≠ hand
11 [N-SING] to the N of num, to the ord N
In mathematics, power is used in expressions such as 2 to the power of 4 or 2 to the 4th power to indicate that 2 must be multiplied by itself 4 times. This is written in numbers as 24, or 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, which equals 16.
12 [PHRASE]
You can refer to people in authority as the powers that be, especially when you want to say that you disagree with them or do not understand what they say or do.
The powers that be, in this case the independent Television Association, banned the advertisement altogether...air pow|er
also airpower
[N-UNCOUNT]
A nation's air power is the strength of its air force.
We will use air power to protect UN peacekeepers if necessary.bal|ance of pow|er
[N-SING]
The balance of power is the way in which power is distributed between rival groups or countries.
...changes in the balance of power between the United States and Europe.flow|er pow|er
[N-UNCOUNT]
Flower power is an old-fashioned way of referring to hippies and the culture associated with hippies in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
...the era of flower power.power ahead
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P
If an economy or company powers ahead, it becomes stronger and more successful.
The most widely held view is the market will continue to power ahead...
It all leaves the way clear for Tesco to power ahead.pow|er base (power bases)
also power-base
[N-COUNT] oft with poss
The power base of a politician or other leader is the area or the group of people from which they get most support, and which enables him or her to become powerful.
Milan was Mr Craxi's home town and his power base.pow|er bro|ker (power brokers)
[N-COUNT]
A power broker is someone who has a lot of influence, especially in politics, and uses it to help other people gain power.
Jackson had been a major power-broker in the 1988 Presidential elections.pow|er cut (power cuts)
[N-COUNT]
A power cut is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is stopped, sometimes deliberately. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use outage)pow|er fail|ure (power failures)
[N-VAR]
A power failure is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is interrupted, for example because of damage to the cables.
= outagepow|er game (power games)
[N-COUNT] oft adj N
You can refer to a situation in which different people or groups are competing for power as a power game, especially if you disapprove of the methods they are using in order to try to win power.
...the dangerous power games in the Kremlin following Stalin's death.pow|er line (power lines)
[N-COUNT]
A power line is a cable, especially above ground, along which electricity is passed to an area or building.pow|er of at|tor|ney
[N-UNCOUNT]
Power of attorney is a legal document which allows you to appoint someone, for example a lawyer, to act on your behalf in specified matters.pow|er plant (power plants)
[N-COUNT]
A power plant is the same as a power station.pow|er play (power plays)
also power-play
1 [N-COUNT]
A power play is an attempt to gain an advantage by showing that you are more powerful than another person or organization, for example in a business relationship or negotiation.
Their politics consisted of unstable power-plays between rival groups.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
In a game of ice hockey, power play is a period of time when one team has more players because one or more of the other team is in the penalty box.pow|er point (power points)
[N-COUNT]
A power point is a place in a wall where you can connect electrical equipment to the electricity supply. (BRIT; in AM, usually use outlet, wall socket)pow|er sta|tion (power stations)
[N-COUNT]
A power station is a place where electricity is produced.
= power plantpow|er steer|ing
[N-UNCOUNT]
In a vehicle, power steering is a system for steering which uses power from the engine so that it is easier for the driver to steer the vehicle.power up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, also V n P
When you power up something such as a computer or a machine, you connect it to a power supply and switch it on.
Simply power up your laptop and continue work.
= switch onpur|chas|ing pow|er
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
The purchasing power of a currency is the amount of goods or services that you can buy with it. (BUSINESS)
The real purchasing power of the rouble has plummeted.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
The purchasing power of a person or group of people is the amount of goods or services that they can afford to buy. (BUSINESS)
...the purchasing power of their customers.sea pow|er (sea powers)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Sea power is the size and strength of a country's navy.
The transformation of American sea power began in 1940.
2 [N-COUNT]
A sea power is a country that has a large navy.stay|ing pow|er
also staying-power
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you have staying power, you have the strength or determination to keep going until you reach the end of what you are doing.
Someone who lacks staying power and persistence is unlikely to make a good researcher.
= stamina
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
If someone has power, they have a lot of control over people and activities.
In a democracy, power must be divided.
...a political power struggle between the Liberals and National Party.
2 [N-UNCOUNT] usu N to-inf, N of n
Your power to do something is your ability to do it.
Human societies have the power to solve the problems confronting them...
He was so drunk that he had lost the power of speech.
3 [N-UNCOUNT] poss N
If it is in or within your power to do something, you are able to do it or you have the resources to deal with it.
Your debt situation is only temporary, and it is within your power to resolve it...
4 [N-UNCOUNT] also N in pl, oft the N to-inf
If someone in authority has the power to do something, they have the legal right to do it.
The police have the power of arrest...
5 [N-UNCOUNT] oft in N
If people take power or come to power, they take charge of a country's affairs. If a group of people are in power, they are in charge of a country's affairs.
In 1964 Labour came into power...
He first assumed power in 1970...
The party has been in power since independence in 1964.
6 [N-COUNT] usu supp N
You can use power to refer to a country that is very rich or important, or has strong military forces.
In Western eyes, Iraq is a major power in an area of great strategic importance.
7 [N-UNCOUNT] usu supp N
The power of something is the ability that it has to move or affect things.
The Roadrunner had better power, better tyres, and better brakes.
...massive computing power.
8 [N-UNCOUNT]
Power is energy, especially electricity, that is obtained in large quantities from a fuel source and used to operate lights, heating, and machinery.
Nuclear power is cleaner than coal...
Power has been restored to most parts that were hit last night by high winds...
9 [VERB] V n
The device or fuel that powers a machine provides the energy that the machine needs in order to work.
The `flywheel' battery, it is said, could power an electric car for 600 miles on a single charge...
● -powered [COMB in ADJ]
...battery-powered radios.
...nuclear-powered submarines.
see also high-powered
10 [ADJ] ADJ n
Power tools are operated by electricity.
...large power tools, such as chainsaws.
...a power drill.
≠ hand
11 [N-SING] to the N of num, to the ord N
In mathematics, power is used in expressions such as 2 to the power of 4 or 2 to the 4th power to indicate that 2 must be multiplied by itself 4 times. This is written in numbers as 24, or 2 x 2 x 2 x 2, which equals 16.
12 [PHRASE]
You can refer to people in authority as the powers that be, especially when you want to say that you disagree with them or do not understand what they say or do.
The powers that be, in this case the independent Television Association, banned the advertisement altogether...air pow|er
also airpower
[N-UNCOUNT]
A nation's air power is the strength of its air force.
We will use air power to protect UN peacekeepers if necessary.bal|ance of pow|er
[N-SING]
The balance of power is the way in which power is distributed between rival groups or countries.
...changes in the balance of power between the United States and Europe.flow|er pow|er
[N-UNCOUNT]
Flower power is an old-fashioned way of referring to hippies and the culture associated with hippies in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
...the era of flower power.power ahead
[PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P
If an economy or company powers ahead, it becomes stronger and more successful.
The most widely held view is the market will continue to power ahead...
It all leaves the way clear for Tesco to power ahead.pow|er base (power bases)
also power-base
[N-COUNT] oft with poss
The power base of a politician or other leader is the area or the group of people from which they get most support, and which enables him or her to become powerful.
Milan was Mr Craxi's home town and his power base.pow|er bro|ker (power brokers)
[N-COUNT]
A power broker is someone who has a lot of influence, especially in politics, and uses it to help other people gain power.
Jackson had been a major power-broker in the 1988 Presidential elections.pow|er cut (power cuts)
[N-COUNT]
A power cut is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is stopped, sometimes deliberately. (mainly BRIT; in AM, use outage)pow|er fail|ure (power failures)
[N-VAR]
A power failure is a period of time when the electricity supply to a particular building or area is interrupted, for example because of damage to the cables.
= outagepow|er game (power games)
[N-COUNT] oft adj N
You can refer to a situation in which different people or groups are competing for power as a power game, especially if you disapprove of the methods they are using in order to try to win power.
...the dangerous power games in the Kremlin following Stalin's death.pow|er line (power lines)
[N-COUNT]
A power line is a cable, especially above ground, along which electricity is passed to an area or building.pow|er of at|tor|ney
[N-UNCOUNT]
Power of attorney is a legal document which allows you to appoint someone, for example a lawyer, to act on your behalf in specified matters.pow|er plant (power plants)
[N-COUNT]
A power plant is the same as a power station.pow|er play (power plays)
also power-play
1 [N-COUNT]
A power play is an attempt to gain an advantage by showing that you are more powerful than another person or organization, for example in a business relationship or negotiation.
Their politics consisted of unstable power-plays between rival groups.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
In a game of ice hockey, power play is a period of time when one team has more players because one or more of the other team is in the penalty box.pow|er point (power points)
[N-COUNT]
A power point is a place in a wall where you can connect electrical equipment to the electricity supply. (BRIT; in AM, usually use outlet, wall socket)pow|er sta|tion (power stations)
[N-COUNT]
A power station is a place where electricity is produced.
= power plantpow|er steer|ing
[N-UNCOUNT]
In a vehicle, power steering is a system for steering which uses power from the engine so that it is easier for the driver to steer the vehicle.power up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n, also V n P
When you power up something such as a computer or a machine, you connect it to a power supply and switch it on.
Simply power up your laptop and continue work.
= switch onpur|chas|ing pow|er
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
The purchasing power of a currency is the amount of goods or services that you can buy with it. (BUSINESS)
The real purchasing power of the rouble has plummeted.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
The purchasing power of a person or group of people is the amount of goods or services that they can afford to buy. (BUSINESS)
...the purchasing power of their customers.sea pow|er (sea powers)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Sea power is the size and strength of a country's navy.
The transformation of American sea power began in 1940.
2 [N-COUNT]
A sea power is a country that has a large navy.stay|ing pow|er
also staying-power
[N-UNCOUNT]
If you have staying power, you have the strength or determination to keep going until you reach the end of what you are doing.
Someone who lacks staying power and persistence is unlikely to make a good researcher.
= stamina