power
power — verb
- powerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- powers3rd person singular
- powering-ing form
- poweredpast simple
1. to give a machine or system the energy it needs to work.
to give a machine or system the energy it needs to work.
Solar panels power the farm's lights and water pump.
power + machine/system
A small battery powered the toy train all afternoon.
Wind from the coast powers homes in three nearby towns.
The backup generator powered the hospital during the storm.
Gasoline still powers most of the fishing boats here.
文法句型
power + machine/system/building
用法筆記
Subject is usually an energy source such as electricity, wind, fuel, or a battery. The object is normally a machine, building, or system that can run on that energy.
常見錯誤
2. to move forward with strong force, often quickly and directly.
to move forward with strong force, often quickly and directly.
The horse powered up the hill through deep mud.
power + up + place
Two police boats powered across the bay after sunset.
movement with across
Elena powered through the station door with two heavy bags.
The crowd powered toward the stage when the gates opened.
After the curve, the freight train powered along the flooded tracks.
文法句型
power + through/across/up/toward
用法筆記
Usually followed by a direction phrase such as 'through', 'across', 'up', or 'toward'. Distinguish from sense 3, where 'power' takes a ball as its object in sports.
常見錯誤
3. in sport, to send a ball forward with a very hard hit or kick.
in sport, to send a ball forward with a very hard hit or kick.
Kim powered the ball past the keeper in the final minute.
power + the ball + past + player
From the edge of the box, Owen powered the ball into the top corner.
power + the ball + into + place
At the restart, Ben powered the ball deep into the box.
On wet grass, Mia powered the ball across the face of goal.
Leo powered the ball over the wall from the free kick spot.
文法句型
power + the ball + place phrase
用法筆記
Mostly used in sports writing and commentary. The object is usually the ball, and the sentence often adds where the ball went next.
常見錯誤
power — noun
- powersingular
- powersplural
1. the capacity to direct other people and affect what happens.
the capacity to direct other people and affect what happens.
The king used his power to raise taxes across the whole country.
use power to + verb
A few large apps have too much power over what children watch after school.
power over + person/group
Without union backing, Rosa had little power in the pay dispute.
The storm showed how little power humans have against the sea.
- powerlessness
the state of being unable to affect people or events
- weakness
broader and can be physical or emotional as well
文法句型
have power over + person/group
use power to + verb
用法筆記
Often followed by 'over' when naming the people or area controlled. Distinguish from sense 4, which is a right given by law or rules, and from sense 5, which is authority tied to a role or position.
常見錯誤
2. the position of governing a country, or the degree to which a group rules it.
the position of governing a country, or the degree to which a group rules it.
The party came to power after twenty years in opposition.
come to power
A military group stayed in power until the first free election.
stay in power
Rebels seized power in the capital before dawn on Monday.
Young voters hope to vote the old president out of power.
- opposition
the parties or groups that are not governing
文法句型
come to power
stay in power
seize power
用法筆記
Usually appears in political patterns such as 'come to power', 'stay in power', and 'seize power'. Distinguish from sense 1, which is broader control and is not limited to ruling a state.
常見錯誤
3. the force in a body that lets a person or animal push, lift, or hit hard.
the force in a body that lets a person or animal push, lift, or hit hard.
Years of climbing gave Mei great power in her hands and shoulders.
power in + body part
The horse showed amazing power when it pulled the cart uphill.
Even after surgery, Dad still had enough power to lift the suitcase.
By the final round, the boxer's left arm had lost power.
- weakness
lack of physical force
文法句型
power in + body part
lose power
enough power to + verb
用法筆記
Often used with body parts or actions, as in 'power in the legs' or 'punching power'. Distinguish from noun senses 7 and 8 in the other chunk, which are about general ability or talent rather than bodily force.
常見錯誤
4. permission backed by law or official rules that allows someone to do a particula
permission backed by law or official rules that allows someone to do a particular thing.
The court has the power to order a new trial.
have the power to + verb
Only the mayor had the power to close the bridge that night.
Under school rules, teachers have no power to search students' bags.
This board has the power to remove the director by a vote.
- prohibition
an official rule that says an action is not allowed
文法句型
have the power to + verb
power to + verb
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'to + verb' and often belongs to a court, government office, or other official body. Distinguish from sense 1, where the focus is practical control rather than a formal right.
常見錯誤
5. the leading place in a group or organization that lets someone direct others and
the leading place in a group or organization that lets someone direct others and have the final say.
After the founder retired, his daughter held most of the power in the company.
hold power in + organization
Even without a title, Aunt Rosa had real power in every family decision.
In the newsroom, the senior editor held more power than the owner.
Once the union arrived, supervisors lost some power on the factory floor.
- subordination
the state of being under someone else's authority
文法句型
hold power in + organization
power in + group
lose power
用法筆記
Often refers to someone's standing or commanding position rather than a specific legal permission. Distinguish from sense 4, which commonly appears as 'the power to + verb'.
常見錯誤
6. electricity used to light homes, run machines, and keep systems working.
electricity used to light homes, run machines, and keep systems working.
The storm cut power to three villages near the coast.
cut power to + place
Factories need steady power to keep the machines running all night.
power to run machines
Our flat gets some winter heat from solar power.
Please turn off the old heater to save power before bed.
- electricity
the most general everyday word
- current
more technical and more about flow in wires
- supply
focuses on the service reaching homes or buildings
文法句型
cut power to + place
restore power
save power
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense. Common in practical phrases such as 'power cut', 'power line', and 'solar power'. Distinguish from noun sense 10 in the other chunk, which is about output or measurement rather than everyday electricity supply.
常見錯誤
7. everything someone is able to do with the mind and the body.
everything someone is able to do with the mind and the body.
Years of illness reduced Grandpa Lee's powers of memory and movement.
plural: powers of memory and movement
After the stroke, Maria worked hard to regain the power of speech.
collocation: regain the power of speech
After knee surgery, the drug can weaken the body's power to heal.
Even at ninety, Professor Chen kept his powers of judgment.
- abilities
the most general word for what someone can do
- faculties
more formal, especially for mental abilities
- capacities
broad and slightly formal
- weaknesses
areas where ability is lacking
- disabilities
physical or mental conditions that limit ability
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural when separate abilities are named, as in powers of memory, speech, or judgment.
8. a particular skill or special ability that lets someone do something well.
a particular skill or special ability that lets someone do something well.
Leah has a rare power to calm crying babies in minutes.
power to + verb
Years on stage gave Omar the power to keep a room quiet.
Years as a nurse gave Hana the power to calm angry families.
The coach saw Nina's power to read the game early.
- inability
lack of power to do something
- clumsiness
poor practical skill
文法句型
power to + verb
用法筆記
Often followed by a to-infinitive. Distinguish from sense 7, which refers to a person's full set of abilities rather than one specific skill.
常見錯誤
9. a person, group, or country with enough influence or strength to direct others.
a person, group, or country with enough influence or strength to direct others.
For years, the railway union was a power in Taipei politics.
pattern: a power in [field]
After the war, Japan became an economic power in Asia.
collocation: economic power
Even in retirement, Senator Vega remained a power in party budget talks.
By 1900, the kingdom was no longer a great power in Europe.
- force
broad and often more neutral
- heavyweight
informal, for an influential person or organization
- superpower
only for a very strong country
- authority
focuses on official decision-making power
- minor player
person or group with little influence
- underdog
side that is weaker than its rivals
用法筆記
Often appears in patterns such as 'a power in local politics' or 'a great/economic power'. Distinguish from sense 1, which names control itself rather than the person, group, or state holding it.
10. the amount of energy produced, used, or sent out in a given time.
the amount of energy produced, used, or sent out in a given time.
The heater uses less power when the room is already warm.
collocation: use less power
On the test track, the engine produced more power than last year's model.
pattern: produce more power
Engineers tested the motor at full power before the race.
The laser lost power after three hours of continuous use.
- output
focuses on what a machine produces
- wattage
the measured amount of power in watts
- horsepower
used especially for engines and vehicles
用法筆記
Common with machines and measurements such as watts. Distinguish from sense 6, which refers to electricity as a supply rather than the rate or output.
11. the amount a lens or similar device makes something look larger.
the amount a lens or similar device makes something look larger.
The microscope gives enough power to show the tiny cells clearly.
collocation: enough power to + verb
At low power, the telescope shows the whole moon at once.
collocation: at low power
Dr. Wu switched to a higher power to inspect the insect's wing.
The guide used binoculars with enough power to spot eagles.
- magnification
the direct technical term
- zoom
common for cameras, not always the same as optical strength
- enlargement
focuses on the result rather than the lens setting
用法筆記
Often used with words such as low, high, or enough before it, especially for microscopes, telescopes, and binoculars. Distinguish from sense 10, where power is about energy output.
12. the small number that shows how many times another number multiplies itself.
the small number that shows how many times another number multiplies itself.
On the board, in x to the fourth power, the four is the power.
pattern: to the fourth power
The teacher asked the class to write ten to the power of six.
pattern: to the power of + number
In class, a negative power moves the base below the line.
During the quiz, Sam forgot that the power comes after the base.
- exponent
the standard maths term
- index
used in some maths teaching, especially British English
- superscript
describes where the number is written, not its meaning
文法句型
to the power of + number
用法筆記
Usually appears in phrases such as 'to the third power' or 'to the power of 6'. Distinguish from sense 10, which belongs to physics and engineering.
常見錯誤
power — adjective
- powerpositive
- powerercomparative
- powerestsuperlative
1. Designed to run by electricity or a motor instead of by hand.
Designed to run by electricity or a motor instead of by hand.
The carpenter packed a power drill for the kitchen remodel.
power + equipment noun
A power wheelchair helped Nora move across the long hospital hall.
collocation: power wheelchair
At the farm, the power gate slid open for the milk truck.
The bakery uses a power mixer during the early morning shift.
- manual
describes equipment used by hand without a motor
- hand-operated
makes the contrast with machine-driven equipment explicit
文法句型
power + equipment noun
用法筆記
Usually comes before a noun naming equipment, vehicles, or parts of a machine. Distinguish from adjective sense 2, which is about physical force in sport rather than a motor.
常見錯誤
2. In sport, describing an athlete or style that depends on physical strength and f
In sport, describing an athlete or style that depends on physical strength and forceful play.
The team signed a power forward from Kaohsiung for next season.
sports collocation: power forward
After winter training, Mina became a power hitter with quick hands.
sports collocation: power hitter
By halftime, the Tigers' power game had worn down the smaller team.
On wet grass, a power runner can still break two tackles.
- strong
the broad everyday adjective for physical force
- muscular
focuses more on body build than playing style
- hard-hitting
used especially for forceful attacking play or heavy shots
- speed-based
wins through pace rather than physical force
- finesse-based
wins through touch, control, or skill rather than strength
文法句型
power + sports noun
用法筆記
Mostly comes before sports nouns such as 'forward', 'hitter', 'game', or 'runner'. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which describes machines and equipment driven by electricity or a motor.