ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something.

political or national strength

the balance of power in Europe.

great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force.

the possession of control or command over others; authority; ascendancy

power over men's minds.

political ascendancy or control in the government of a country, state, etc.

They attained power by overthrowing the legal government.

legal ability, capacity, or authority

the power of attorney.

delegated authority; authority granted to a person or persons in a particular office or capacity

the powers of the president.

a document or written statement conferring legal authority.

a person or thing that possesses or exercises authority or influence.

a state or nation having international authority or influence

The great powers held an international conference.

a military or naval force

The Spanish Armada was a mighty power.

Often, powers. a deity; divinity

the heavenly powers.

powers, Theology . an order of angels. Compare angel ( def. 1 ) .

Dialect . a large number or amount

There's a power of good eatin' at the church social.

Physics .

work done or energy transferred per unit of time. Symbol

P

the time rate of doing work.

mechanical energy as distinguished from hand labor

a loom driven by power.

a particular form of mechanical or physical energy

hydroelectric power.

energy, force, or momentum

The door slammed shut, seemingly under its own power.

Mathematics .

the product obtained by multiplying a quantity by itself one or more times

The third power of 2 is 8.

(of a number x ) a number whose logarithm is a times the logarithm of x (and is called the a th power of x ). Symbolically, y = x a is a number that satisfies the equation log y = a log x.

the exponent of an expression, as a in x a .

cardinal number ( def. 2 ) .

Optics .

the magnifying capacity of a microscope, telescope, etc., expressed as the ratio of the diameter of the image to the diameter of the object. Compare magnification ( def. 2 ) .

the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens.

to supply with electricity or other means of power

Atomic energy powers the new submarines.

to give power to; make powerful

An outstanding quarterback powered the team in its upset victory.

to inspire; spur; sustain

A strong faith in divine goodness powers his life.

(of a fuel, engine, or any source able to do work) to supply force to operate (a machine)

An electric motor powers this drill.

to drive or push by applying power

She powered the car expertly up the winding mountain road.

operated or driven by a motor or electricity

a power mower; power tools.

power-assisted

His new car has power brakes and power windows.

conducting electricity

a power cable.

Informal . expressing or exerting power; characteristic of those having authority or influence

to host a power lunch.

power down, Computers . to shut off.

power up, Computers . to turn on. ?

the powers that be

those in supreme command; the authorities

The decision is in the hands of the powers that be.

noun

inability , incapacity , incompetence , weakness , debility , disability , impairment , impotence , infirmity , inefficiency , subservience , surrender , yielding

noun

aptitude , bent , capability , capacity , competency , dynamism , effectiveness , efficacy , endowment , faculty , function , gift , influence , potential , potentiality , qualification , skill , talent , turn , virtue , applied force , arm * , brawn , energy , force , forcefulness , horsepower , intensity , mechanical energy , might , muscle * , omnipotence , potency , puissance , sinew * , strength , vigor , vim , voltage , weight , ascendancy , authority , authorization , birthright , clout , command , connection , diadem , direction , domination , dominion , hegemony , imperium , inside track * , jurisdiction , law , leadership , license , management , moxie * , paramountcy , predominance , prerogative , prestige , privilege , regency , right , rule , say-so , sovereignty , steam , strings , superiority , supremacy , sway , warrant , weight * , wire * , animation , sprightliness , muscle , potence , powerfulness , sinew , thew , control , mastery , magnetism , abundance , mass , mountain , much , plenty , profusion , wealth , world , ability , agency , arm , armipotence , ascendency , attribution , charisma , cogency , demiurge , disposal , domain , dominance , effort , empire , fight , guns , hand , leverage , money , plenipotentiary , powerhouse , stamina , status , sword , throne , virility , vis