power

Power is defined as the ability to act or have influence over others.

(noun)

  1. An example of power is the strength needed to run five miles.
  2. An example of power is the authority a local government has to collect taxes.

Power means to supply with energy or force.

(verb)

An example of power is to start up an engine.

The definition of power is operating electrically or having strength or force.

(adjective)

  1. An example of power is the functioning of a gasoline-driven saw or tool.
  2. An example of power is a big game move.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See power in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. ability to do, act, or produce
  2. a specific ability or faculty: the power of hearing
  3. great ability to do, act, or affect strongly; vigor; force; strength
    1. the ability to control others; authority; sway; influence
    2. special authority assigned to or exercised by a person or group holding office
    3. legal ability or authority; also, a document giving it
  4. a source of physical or mechanical force or energy; force or energy that is at, or can be put to, work: electric power, water power
  5. the rate at which work is done: abbrev. P
  6. a person or thing having great influence, force, or authority
  7. a nation, esp. one having influence or domination over other nations: the great powers
  8. national might or political strength
  9. a spirit or divinity
  10. Dialectal a large number or quantity (of something specified)
    1. Archaic an armed force; army; navy
    2. military strength: air power
  11. Math.
    1. the product of the multiplication of a quantity by itself: 4 is the second power of 2 (2)
    2. exponent (sense )
  12. Optics the degree of magnification of a lens, microscope, telescope, etc., expressed as a ratio of the diameters of image and object

Origin: ME pouer < OFr poeir, earlier poter, orig. inf. < VL *potere, to be able, for L posse, to be able: see potent

transitive verb

to supply with power or with a source of power

adjective

  1. operated by electricity, a fuel engine, etc.: power tools, a power mower
  2. served by an auxiliary, engine-powered system that reduces the effort of the operation: power steering
  3. carrying electricity: power lines
  4. of, for, or signifying persons in business or politics regarded as powerful: a power lunch, a power suit

See power in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The ability or capacity to perform or act effectively.
  2. A specific capacity, faculty, or aptitude. Often used in the plural: her powers of concentration.
  3. Strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted; might. See Synonyms at strength.
  4. The ability or official capacity to exercise control; authority.
  5. A person, group, or nation having great influence or control over others: the western powers.
  6. The might of a nation, political organization, or similar group.
  7. Forcefulness; effectiveness: a novel of unusual power.
  8. Chiefly Upper Southern U.S. A large number or amount. See Regional Note at powerful.
  9. a. The energy or motive force by which a physical system or machine is operated: turbines turned by steam power; a sailing ship driven by wind power.
    b. The capacity of a system or machine to operate: a vehicle that runs under its own power.
    c. Electrical or mechanical energy, especially as used to assist or replace human energy.
    d. Electricity supplied to a home, building, or community: a storm that cut off power to the whole region.
  10. Physics The rate at which work is done, expressed as the amount of work per unit time and commonly measured in units such as the watt and horsepower.
  11. Electricity
    a. The product of applied potential difference and current in a direct-current circuit.
    b. The product of the effective values of the voltage and current with the cosine of the phase angle between current and voltage in an alternating-current circuit.
  12. Mathematics
    a. See exponent.
    b. The number of elements in a finite set.
  13. Statistics The probability of rejecting the null hypothesis where it is false.
  14. A measure of the magnification of an optical instrument, such as a microscope or telescope.
  15. powers Christianity The sixth of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology.
  16. Archaic An armed force.
adjective
  1. Of or relating to political, social, or economic control: a power struggle; a power base.
  2. Operated with mechanical or electrical energy in place of bodily exertion: a power tool; power car windows.
  3. Of or relating to the generation or transmission of electricity: power companies; power lines.
  4. Informal Of or relating to influential business or professional practices: a pinstriped suit with a power tie; met with high-level executives at a power breakfast.
transitive verb pow·ered, pow·er·ing, pow·ers
To supply with power, especially mechanical power.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French pooir, to be able, power

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *potēre, to be able

Origin: , from Latin potis, able, powerful; see poti- in Indo-European roots

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