power

noun

• 1the ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way:the power of speech I will do everything in my power to help you (powers)his powers of concentration

• 2the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behaviour of others or the course of events:a political process that offers people power over their own lives she had me in her power
• political or social authority or control, especially that exercised by a government:the party had been in power for eight years
• authority that is given or delegated to a person or body:police do not have the power to stop and search
• the military strength of a state:the sea power of Venice
• [count noun] a state or country, especially one viewed in terms of its international influence and military strength:a great colonial power
• [count noun] a person or organization that is strong or influential within a particular context:he was a power in the university
• [count noun] a supernatural being, deity, or force:the powers of darkness
• (powers) (in traditional Christian angelology) the sixth-highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy.
• [with modifier] used in the names of movements aiming to enhance the status of a specified group:gay power

• 3physical strength and force exerted by something or someone:the power of the storm figurativethe lyrical power of his prose
• capacity or performance of an engine or other device:a surge of power from the engine
• [as modifier] denoting a sports player, team, or style of play that makes use of power rather than finesse:a power pitcher
• the magnifying capacity of a lens.

• 4energy that is produced by mechanical, electrical, or other means and used to operate a device:generating power from waste [as modifier]:power cables
• electrical energy supplied to an area, building, etc.:30,000 homes were left without power
• [as modifier] driven by electrical energy:a power drill

• 5 Physics the rate of doing work, measured in watts or less frequently horse power.

• 6 Mathematics the product obtained when a number is multiplied by itself a certain number of times:2 to the power of 4 equals 16

• 7 (a power of) chiefly dialect a large number or amount of something:there’s a power of difference between farming now and when I was a lad

verb

• 1 [with object] supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy:the car is powered by a fuel-injected 3.0-litre engine (as adjective, in combination -powered)a nuclear-powered submarine
• (power something up/down) switch a device on or off:the officer powered up the fighter’s radar

• 2 [no object, with adverbial of direction] move or travel with great speed or force:he powered round a bend
• [with object] direct (something, especially a ball) with great force:Nicholas powered a header into the net