power play

noun

1

: a military, diplomatic, political, or administrative maneuver in which power is brought to bear

2

a

: a concentrated attack in football in which the ballcarrier is preceded by a mass of blockers

b

: a situation in ice hockey in which one team temporarily has more players on the ice than the other team because of a penalty

Examples of power play in a Sentence

They scored their first goal on a power play.

He made a power play to seize control of the company.

Recent Examples on the Web

Celebrini’s first assist came on a power play. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

Canada was trailing 2-1 at the time of Crosby's injury, but rallied to tie the game at 2 thanks to a power play goal from Colorado Avalanche assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026

Crinon received a minor penalty, and Canada scored just 25 seconds into the ensuing power play, per ESPN. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026

Canada scored just 25 seconds into the resulting power play. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for power play

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway