power
power definition
power (po̵u′ər)
noun
- ability to do, act, or produce
- a specific ability or faculty the power of hearing
- great ability to do, act, or affect strongly; vigor; force; strength
- the ability to control others; authority; sway; influence
- special authority assigned to or exercised by a person or group holding office
- legal ability or authority; also, a document giving it
- 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
- the rate at which work is done: abbrev. P
- a person or thing having great influence, force, or authority
- a nation, esp. one having influence or domination over other nations the great powers
- national might or political strength
- a spirit or divinity
- Dialectal a large number or quantity (of something specified)
- Archaic an armed force; army; navy
- military strength air power
- Math.
- the product of the multiplication of a quantity by itself 4 is the second power of 2 (2)
- exponent (sense )
- Optics the degree of magnification of a lens, microscope, telescope, etc., expressed as a ratio of the diameters of image and object
Etymology: 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
- operated by electricity, a fuel engine, etc. power tools, a power mower
- served by an auxiliary, engine-powered system that reduces the effort of the operation power steering
- carrying electricity power lines
- of, for, or signifying persons in business or politics regarded as powerful a power lunch, a power suit
power Idioms
in power
- in authority
- in office
the powers that be
the persons in control
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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| non-slang word for power trip | 17 | 5 years ago |
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