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
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.
Gauthier took a pass from Sennecke on a power play and snapped a shot from the left circle past Rittich. Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Nečas extended their edge during the Avs’ first power play of the match with a one-timer from high in the right circle off a seam pass from Nelson. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026 The ensuing power play did not go well for the visitors, and then Gauthier fired home a one-timer from Jackson Lacombe 20 seconds after the penalty expired. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026 The goal was just the second on the power play in the last 12 games for the Avalanche, who inexplicably have the NHL's worst man-advantage unit despite their overall excellence. ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for power play

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of power play was in 1947

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Power play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20play. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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