powered up; powering up; powers up
: to cause to operate
power up the computer
pow·er-up
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ˌəp 
variants
or less commonly powerup
or power up
plural power-ups also powerups or power ups
1
: an item in a video game that makes a player's character more effective by enhancing an attribute (such as speed, health, or strength) or conferring an ability
… a bunch of power-ups at your disposal to help overcome the odds, including the Super Bell—which gives you catlike powers and the ability to climb walls.—
Jon Bitner
Jon BitnerYou can use the direction keys on your keyboard to navigate Pac-Man through the maze, gobbling up spheres and power ups while avoiding ghosts.—Cassidy Ward
Cassidy WardAfter you collect enough gems and level up, you're able to select another weapon or powerup.—Kris Holt
Kris Holt2
: the act of beginning to operate or causing something to operate
The drive is instantly recognized and ready to go on power-up.—Dwight Silverman
Dwight Silverman… on power up, the user will experience the most rapid start-up time ever …—Business Wire
Business WireExamples of power up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Melissa powered up over the warm waters in the Caribbean last week, its winds increasing by 65 mph in one 15-hour period.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Matt Kasson, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2025
At the end of each, they’ll be awarded a choice of power-up that can boost their health, attack or defense, or imbue their abilities with elemental attributes.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for power up
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Verb
Plug it in to power up the home, which can also be set on a timer to automatically turn on every evening.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Melissa powered up over the warm waters in the Caribbean last week, its winds increasing by 65 mph in one 15-hour period.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
However, the super mushroom, a power-up similar to Pac-Man’s power pellets, is what really super-sized Mario and became one of the most iconic symbols of the entire franchise.
—Matt Kasson, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2025
At the end of each, they’ll be awarded a choice of power-up that can boost their health, attack or defense, or imbue their abilities with elemental attributes.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for power up
Cite this Entry
“Power up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20up. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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