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

• 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

That’s serious firepower for an SUV with no V-8 under the hood. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Russia put on a display of firepower as part of its major military exercises in Belarus on Monday, with neighboring NATO nations on alert amid some of the highest tensions in Europe since Moscow began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025

But for all the firepower of their names, none has made the same impact as the classic concert albums of the past. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025

The gun lobby saves its firepower for moments when public grief peaks, and lawmakers face maximum pressure to act. —John J. Donohue, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

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