: head, poll

pow

2 of 4

noun (2)

: a sound of a blow or explosion

POW

3 of 4

noun (3)

ˌpē-(ˌ)ō-ˈdə-bəl-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce POW (audio)
-bə-(ˌ)yü;
-ˈdəb-(ˌ)yü

POW

4 of 4

abbreviation

Powassan (virus)
According to a Center for Disease Control spokeswoman, POW virus can infect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).Rick Murphy
There is no specific treatment, but people with severe POW virus illnesses often need to be hospitalized to receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids, or medications to reduce swelling in the brain.Kathryn Gallerani

Examples of pow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The young husband looking for his wife in the ashes, the Mitsubishi engineer who survived both bombings, the Scottish POW, and many more. Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025 The Hot Springs Shuttle offers a safe and easy ride when you’re done slaying the pow. Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
An effort by Coronado Navy wives to bring back their prisoner of war husbands from Vietnam is solidified with the creation of the National League of POW/MIA Families. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025 Renae Barber, the owner of POW Restaurant and Lounge in Miami Gardens, said customer safety and gun safety are important to her. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pow

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of poll

Noun (2)

imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1918, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pow was circa 1500

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Cite this Entry

“Pow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pow. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

POW

abbreviation
Powassan (virus)
According to a Center for Disease Control spokeswoman, POW virus can infect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).Rick Murphy
There is no specific treatment, but people with severe POW virus illnesses often need to be hospitalized to receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids, or medications to reduce swelling in the brain.Kathryn Gallerani

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