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

Putting the moment on McSweeney’s stick, even with a 4-on-3 power play as the other option, was an easy choice for Bellamy. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026

Bourque's first-period goal also came on the power play. —CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

The penalty kill has remained strong, and while the power play has shown flickers of improvement, Colorado has scored just one more goal than its allowed (3-2) while playing with the extra man in this stretch. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026

The Kings had six power plays before the Ducks got their first man-advantage late in the second period, yet Anaheim had a significant edge in shots after carrying play for long stretches at even strength. —Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 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