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
McDavid got the best of his matchup against his Canadian Olympic teammate and fellow Hart Trophy contender Macklin Celebrini, who scored on the power play to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.
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ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
But the Ducks managed just one shot on goal during the long power play, and Skjei slipped past Anaheim's leaky defense on a breakaway and snapped a shot over Dostal's right shoulder for a short-handed goal and a 3-0 lead with 58 seconds left in the second.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
But the Ducks managed just one shot on goal during the long power play, and Skjei slipped past the Ducks’ leaky defense on a breakaway and snapped a shot over Dostal’s right shoulder for a shorthanded goal and a 3-0 lead with 58 seconds left in the second.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The Predators slathered on a fifth goal just after their power play expired, Ryan Ufko’s stretch pass sprung Tyson Jost.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for power play
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ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
But the Ducks managed just one shot on goal during the long power play, and Skjei slipped past Anaheim's leaky defense on a breakaway and snapped a shot over Dostal's right shoulder for a short-handed goal and a 3-0 lead with 58 seconds left in the second.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
But the Ducks managed just one shot on goal during the long power play, and Skjei slipped past the Ducks’ leaky defense on a breakaway and snapped a shot over Dostal’s right shoulder for a shorthanded goal and a 3-0 lead with 58 seconds left in the second.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
The Predators slathered on a fifth goal just after their power play expired, Ryan Ufko’s stretch pass sprung Tyson Jost.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for power play
Cite this Entry
“Power play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20play. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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