power
gb/pˈaʊɚ/ us/pˈaʊɚ/
A2
English
~ 300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
control over people or events
The ability to control what people do or what happens.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has power over [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'power' with 'energy' in contexts about control; 'power' here refers to influence, not electricity.
Synonyms
authority (Implies legitimate or official right to control.)
|
control (Focuses more on the act of directing or managing something.)
Antonyms
weakness (Lack of strength or ability to influence.)
|
powerlessness (Complete lack of ability to control or influence.)
Collocations
political power
|seize power
|hold power
|power struggle
|abuse of power
Themes
politics
|society
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The president has the power to veto new laws.
- Local councils have little power over national policy.
- She used her power to help those in need.
- The rebels seized power after months of fighting.
Learner examples
- He has the power to make changes.
- The teacher has power in the classroom.
- They took power after the war.
- She lost her power in the company.
Noun
A2
entity
2
physical strength or force
Strength or force that can move something or make something happen.
Usage pattern:
the power of [something]
Synonyms
strength (General physical force or ability.)
|
might (Strong, often heroic physical strength.)
Antonyms
weakness (Lack of physical force or strength.)
Collocations
muscle power
|engine power
|lifting power
|explosive power
Themes
sports
|physics
|daily life
|body
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The boxer’s punching power is incredible.
- This car has enough power to tow a trailer.
- Wind power can turn the turbines.
Learner examples
- The horse has great power.
- This machine has a lot of power.
- The wind has the power to move the boat.
Noun
A2
entity
3
energy for machines/devices
Electricity or energy that makes machines work.
Synonyms
electricity (Specifically refers to electrical energy.)
Antonyms
blackout (A period without electrical power.)
Collocations
solar power
|cut off power
|power supply
|power outage
Themes
technology
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The storm caused a loss of power across the city.
- This laptop runs on battery power.
- They are investing in renewable power sources.
Learner examples
- The house has no power today.
- Solar power comes from the sun.
- We lost power during the storm.
Noun
B2
entity
4
official right to act
The official right to do something by law or rules.
Synonyms
authority (Focuses on recognized and legitimate permission.)
Antonyms
prohibition (An official ban on doing something.)
Collocations
power of attorney
|delegated powers
|statutory powers
Themes
law
|government
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was given the power to sign contracts on behalf of the company.
- Under the law, the police have certain powers.
- She acted beyond her powers as manager.
Learner examples
- The police have the power to stop cars.
- He has the power to sign papers.
- She does not have the power to make that choice.
Verb
A2
action
5
supply with energy to work
To give energy to make something work.
Usage pattern:
to power [machine/device] with [energy source]
Synonyms
energize (Technical; means to supply with electrical energy.)
Antonyms
shut down (To stop a machine from operating by cutting its energy supply.)
Collocations
power a generator
|powered by batteries
|solar-powered
Themes
technology
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The spacecraft is powered by solar panels.
- Wind turbines can power thousands of homes.
- This flashlight is powered by two AA batteries.
Learner examples
- The car is powered by gas.
- Solar panels power the house.
- Batteries power this toy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
power
IPA
GB/pˈaʊɚ/
US/pˈaʊɚ/
Syllables & stress
power (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (power)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: power
- Plural: power, powers
Verb
- Base: power
- 3rd Person Singular: powers
- Present Participle: powering
- Past: powered
Word family
Forms
powers
noun
powering
verb
powered
verb
Core family
powerful
adjective B1
powerfully
adverb B2
Related words
empower
verb B1
empowerment
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
powerless
adjective B1
Expressions
come to power
1/kˈʌm tə pˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
begin controlling government/organization
To start being in control of a country or group.
Examples
- She came to power promising economic reforms.
- The party came to power in 2010 and remained for two terms.
cut off power
1/kˈʌt ˈɔf pˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
stop supplying electricity
To stop sending electricity to a place or thing.
Examples
- They cut off power to save energy during peak hours.
- The storm cut off power to thousands of homes.
hold power
1/hˈoʊld pˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
be in political control/authority
To have official control over a country or group.
Examples
- They have held power for over a decade.
- The coalition holds power despite recent protests.
power up
1/pˈaʊɚ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
turn on by supplying energy
To make a machine start working by giving it energy.
Examples
- Power up the computer before starting your work.
- The robot powered up and began moving forward.
take power
1/tˈeɪk pˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
gain control over a government/organization
To get control over a country or group, often after an election or by force.
Examples
- The new party will take power after the election results are confirmed.
- The rebels took power after years of conflict.