firepower

noun

fire·​pow·​er ˈfī(-ə)r-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

1

a

: the capacity (as of a military unit) to deliver effective fire on a target

b

: effective fire

2

a

: effective power or force

intellectual firepower

b

: the scoring ability of a team or player

Synonyms of firepower

• power
• strength
• energy
• capability
• muscle
• capacity

Examples of firepower in a Sentence

The army didn't have the firepower to defeat the invaders.

right now the President doesn't have the political firepower to push his programs through Congress

Recent Examples on the Web

At least 22 people were killed as Russia launched a wave of missiles and drones at Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, officials said, hours before President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was set to plead for more firepower at a NATO summit in Turkey. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 6 July 2026

Both teams have a lot of offensive firepower, so give me the over 8. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026

Such an approach mirrors a broader trend in modern warfare, where mobility and concealment have become as important as firepower. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

So when some of the powers like France or Spain or England are playing teams that don’t have the exact firepower … to see teams maybe undermanned tactically hang in the match and figure out how to be opportunistic is really (interesting). — Gary Bedore july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for firepower

• candlepower
• cauliflower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• horsepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

firepower

noun

fire·​pow·​er -ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

: the ability to deliver gunfire or warheads on a target