WordWeb Online

1. Possession of controlling influence
   "the deterrent power of nuclear weapons"; "the power of his love saved her";
   - powerfulness
    
2. (physics) the rate of doing work; measured in watts (= joules/second)
    
3. Possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done
   "danger heightened his powers of discrimination";
   - ability
    
4. (of a government or government official) the status of currently holding an official or elected position and having the corresponding authority
   "during his first year in power"; "the power of the president";
   - office
    
5. One possessing or exercising power or influence or authority
   "the mysterious presence of an evil power";
   - force
    
6. A mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself
   - exponent, index
    
7. Physical strength
   - might, mightiness
    
8. A state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world
   "The country developed into a mighty world power";
   - world power, major power, great power, superpower
    
9. Energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor
   "The power went oout around midnight";
   - electricity, electrical energy, leccy [Brit, informal]
    
10. A very wealthy or powerful businessman
    "an oil power";
    - baron, big businessman, business leader, king, magnate, mogul, top executive, tycoon
     
11. Electricity supply

1. Supply the force or power for the functioning of
   "The petrol powers the engines"

Derived forms: powered, powering, powers

See also: able, powerful, powerless

Type of: body politic, businessman, cater, causal agency, causal agent, cause, cognition, commonwealth, country, energy, free energy, knowledge, land, man of affairs, mathematical notation, nation, noesis, physical phenomenon, ply, provide, quality, res publica, state, strength, supply

Antonym: inability, powerlessness

Encyclopedia: Power, Privilege and Justice