great power

noun

variants often Great Power

: one of the nations that figure most decisively in international affairs : superpower

Examples of great power in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Policymakers once again worry about nuclear use, and military planners once again contemplate war between great powers, including the United States and China, and NATO and Russia. — Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026

At Davos in January, Carney urged middle powers to band together rather than bow to great powers. — Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

Maybe not surprisingly, Peralta has been throwing his changeup progressively harder over the last three starts, perhaps to mimic these great power changeups of the past. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Carney warned that great powers are using economic integration to coerce smaller countries. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for great power

• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower
• mayflower
• safflower
• sunflower
• wallflower
• watchtower

Kids Definition

great power

noun

: one of the nations that have the greatest influence, resources, and military strength in the world