in power Definition

power
noun

1. Control and influence exercised over others.

Thesaurus: leadership, authority, control, command, sovereignty, jurisdiction, dominion, sway, ascendancy, dominance, preponderance, supremacy, supreme authority, prestige, warrant.
2. Strength, vigour, force or effectiveness.

Thesaurus: strength, vigour, might, energy, stamina, force, puissance, muscle (slang), forcefulness, weight, intensity, brawn, juice (slang).
3. Military strength.

Example: sea power
Example: air power
4. The physical ability, skill, opportunity or authority to do something.
5. An individual faculty or skill.

Example: the power of speech
Thesaurus: ability, skill, endowment, capability, capacity, faculty, talent, competency.
6. A right, privilege or responsibility.

Example: the power of arrest
7. Political control.
8. A state that has an influential role in international affairs. Also in compounds.

Example: superpower
9. A person or group exercising control or influence.
10. colloq
A great deal.
Example: The rest did her a power of good
11. Any form of energy, especially when used as the driving force for a machine. Often in compounds.

Example: nuclear power
12. math.
A less technical term for an exponent (sense 3).
13. physics.
The rate of doing work or converting energy from one form into another.
14a. ) mechanical or electrical energy, as distinct from manual effort;


Example: power tools
15. optics.
A measure of the extent to which a lens, optical instrument or curved mirror can deviate light rays and so magnify an image of an object.
16. In the traditional medieval hierarchy of nine ranks of angels: an angel of the sixth rank. Compare seraph, cherub, throne, dominion, virtue, principality, archangel, angel.

verb powered, powering

1. To supply something with power. Also in compounds.

Example: wind-powered
tr & intr
2. colloq
To move or cause something to move with great force, energy or speed.

Idiom: in power

Elected; holding office.
Example: when Labour is in power

Idiom: the powers that be

The people who are in control or in authority.

Etymology: 13c: from French poer, from Latin posse to be able.

Phrasal Verb: power something up

To recharge its power supply (especially that of a laptop computer) by attaching it to the mains electricity supply.