power on

power on — phrasal verb

  • power onbase form
  • powers on3rd person singular
  • powering on-ing form
  • powered onpast simple

1. to make an electronic device or machine begin operating by connecting it to a po

1.phrasal verbB1
Definition

to make an electronic device or machine begin operating by connecting it to a power source or pressing a control, or to start operating in this way

Example

Tuan powered on his laptop before the meeting started.

power + on + [object] — device as direct object

Make sure you power the printer on before you connect it to the network.

power + [object] + on — separable pattern

Common collocations
  • power on a computer/laptop/tablet
  • power on a printer/scanner
  • power on the system/server
  • power on a device/machine
  • fully power on
Synonyms
  • switch on

    more common for lights and small appliances; implies a simple toggle action

  • turn on

    most general term; works for any device with an on/off switch

  • start up

    suggests a longer boot or loading process, especially for computers or large machinery

Antonyms
  • power off

    the direct antonym in the same phrasal-verb pattern

  • shut down

    implies a proper closing procedure, especially for computers

Grammar Patterns

power + on + [object]

power + [object] + on

Usage Note

Separable phrasal verb: the object can go before or after 'on' (power the computer on / power on the computer). For simple switches (lights, fans), 'turn on' or 'switch on' is more natural than 'power on'.

Common Mistakes

I powered on the car and drove away.
I started the car and drove away.
'power on' refers to electronic devices, not vehicles with combustion engines.
Can you power on the kitchen light?
Can you turn on the kitchen light?
'power on' implies a boot-up sequence; use 'turn on' for simple switches.

Synonym discussion

Sense: phrasal verb/1

All three describe causing a device to begin operating, but they differ in scope and register. 'Turn on' is the most general and neutral term — you can turn on a light, a TV, a fan, or a computer. 'Switch on' is very similar but slightly more informal and often implies a physical switch or button. 'Power on' is the most specific: it suggests supplying electrical power and often involves a startup sequence or boot process rather than a simple toggle. 'Start up' overlaps with 'power on' for computers and machinery but can also apply to engines and vehicles. For example: 'Tuan turned on the desk lamp,' but 'Tuan powered on the workstation and waited for the login screen.' Use 'turn on' when the action is simple; use 'power on' when the device needs to go through an initialization process.

switch on ↗turn on ↗start up ↗

Etymology

EnglishModern English

The phrasal verb 'power on' dates from the mid-20th century, formed from the noun 'power' (electrical energy) + the adverb/preposition 'on' (indicating activation). It emerged alongside the rise of electronic and computing equipment that required a deliberate startup sequence rather than a simple mechanical switch.