pow

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpō  ˈpau̇ 

: head, poll

pow

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpau̇ 

: a sound of a blow or explosion

POW

3 of 4

noun (3)

ˌpē-(ˌ)ō-ˈdə-bəl-(ˌ)yü 

-bə-(ˌ)yü;

-ˈdəb-(ˌ)yü

: prisoner of war

POW

4 of 4

abbreviation

Powassan (virus)

According to a Center for Disease Control spokeswoman, POW virus can infect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).

—Rick Murphy

There is no specific treatment, but people with severe POW virus illnesses often need to be hospitalized to receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids, or medications to reduce swelling in the brain.

—Kathryn Gallerani

Examples of pow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Hot Springs Shuttle offers a safe and easy ride when you’re done slaying the pow. — Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 28 Feb. 2025

Most of the mountain closed while fresh pow covered empty slopes. — Erin Alberty, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025

Noun

For years, the POW issue had been front and center in all discussions on the war. — Literary Hub, 14 May 2026

There are still several options across the country and around the globe to put pow in that powder for some downhill skiing or snowboarding. — Amy Nelson, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of poll

Noun (2)

imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1918, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pow

• bao
• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau

Kids Definition

POW

noun

ˌpē-ˌō-ˈdəb-əl-(ˌ)yü 

: prisoner of war

Medical Definition

POW

abbreviation

Powassan (virus)

According to a Center for Disease Control spokeswoman, POW virus can infect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).

—Rick Murphy

There is no specific treatment, but people with severe POW virus illnesses often need to be hospitalized to receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids, or medications to reduce swelling in the brain.

—Kathryn Gallerani