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
The Niners on those seven or eight power plays were pulling right guard Dominick Puni.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
While the penalty kill was again strong (5-for-5), the power play went of 0-for-2.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Minnesota had just eight shots on goal through two periods, despite having four power plays.
—Brad Schlossman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
In the story, the Twits escalate their mischief from pranks to power plays — even running for government — and Mayor Wayne becomes the absurd foil in their rise.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for power play
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Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025
While the penalty kill was again strong (5-for-5), the power play went of 0-for-2.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Minnesota had just eight shots on goal through two periods, despite having four power plays.
—Brad Schlossman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
In the story, the Twits escalate their mischief from pranks to power plays — even running for government — and Mayor Wayne becomes the absurd foil in their rise.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
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 22 Oct. 2025.
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