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

Because for all the tactical firepower and platform knowledge Pilothouse still offers, Hitchcox is betting the next five years will belong to the agencies, brands, and teams that stop fearing change and start designing for it. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025

As such, the state is also a hub for NORAD firepower stationed at two primary bases of Fairbanks and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, where President Donald Trump is set to receive Putin on Friday. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

Continued elevated savings, relatively low revolving credit usage, and stable borrowing capacity suggest consumers still possess spending firepower—a key factor supporting the economy’s resilience so far this year. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025

With more troops and firepower, Russia is making incremental gains at a high cost, but has not achieved any major breakthroughs. —Greg Myre, NPR, 9 Aug. 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