power up

1 of 2

verb

powered up; powering up; powers up

transitive verb

: to cause to operate

power up the computer

power-up

2 of 2

noun

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

You 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

After you collect enough gems and level up, you're able to select another weapon or powerup.

—Kris Holt

2

: the act of beginning to operate or causing something to operate

Do not use the device if the device requires multiple power-ups prior to going to "ready state" (solid green light) …

—Contify Life Science News

… on power up, the user will experience the most rapid start-up time ever …

—Business Wire

Examples of power up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The front of the router has an LED indicator that glows solid white when the router is connected to the internet and working properly, glows solid red when powering up, pulses orange when the router is ready for setup, and pulses white while establishing a WPS connection. —PCMAG, 16 May 2024

Google Photos already has impressive search capabilities, but Google is using Gemini to dial those powers up to the next level. —Chris Welch, The Verge, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1970, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1979, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

power up

verb

: to cause to operate

power up the computer