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

Although Abiy has denied that Ethiopia has plans for a military conflict, both sides have been buying military equipment, including armed drones, drone defenses, missiles, mechanized firepower, and desert terrain armored vehicles. —Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025

The firepower was there; the cavalry charged too hard. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

If Nabers isn’t in the lineup, the offense will be devoid of firepower. —Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 July 2025

Though the Dodgers are just one of five NL teams with between 58 and 61 wins so far this year, their status as the clear favorites in this market makes sense given their firepower and recent track record. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 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