power play

noun

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Examples: power play in a Sentence

Definition of power play

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

See power play defined for English-language learners

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 of power play from the Web

One call leading to a power play can easily produce a goal, and in low-scoring sports like hockey, one goal can decide a game.

— New York Times, "Why N.H.L. Teams May Not Enjoy the Comforts of Home Ice," 6 June 2018
Center Lars Eller stepped up and generated a goal and two assists, penalty killers, particularly Orpik and Niskanen, killed off that 5-on-3 power play for 68 seconds.

— kevin allen, USA TODAY, "Brooks Orpik scores rare goal and contributes much more in Capitals' big win," 31 May 2018
But the relentless Knights earned a power play and cut the Caps' lead to 3-2 late in the second when Theodore slipped a long shot through heavy traffic.

— sean meagher, OregonLive.com, "Washington Capitals even Stanley Cup Final at 1-1 with Game 2 win," 31 May 2018
The persistent Knights earned a power play and cut the Caps' lead to 3-2 late in the second on Theodore's shot through traffic.

— CBS News, "Capitals' Braden Holtby makes "save of the year" to even Stanley Cup Final," 31 May 2018
The Golden Knights cannot allow a Washington power play converting at better than 28 percent in the playoffs (third-best in the league) too many chances.

— adam candee, Detroit Free Press, "2018 NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Golden Knights-Capitals Game 2 observations," 30 May 2018
Killorn was left pretty much alone during a defensive breakdown by Washington and scored 6 seconds after a Tampa Bay power play expired, putting in a pass from Ondrej Palat.

— howard fendrich, BostonGlobe.com, "Alex Killorn helps Lightning even series at two apiece," 18 May 2018
Orlando turned up the heat even more after LeBlanc’s second tally, earning a power play that carried over into the third.

— steve t. gorches, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Solar Bears eliminated from ECHL playoffs by 5-2 home loss to Florida in Game 5," 6 May 2018
The Steelheads then took the lead just over two minutes later when Max French scored on a 5-on-3 power play.

— idahostatesman, "Steelheads force Game 6 in Boise after another come-from-behind win | Idaho Statesman," 22 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'power play.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of power play

1947

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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POWER PLAY Defined for English Language Learners

power play

noun

Definition of power play for English Language Learners

ice hockey : a situation in which one team has more players on the ice than the other team for a period of time because of a penalty
: an attempt by a person, group, or organization to use power in a forceful and direct way to get or do something

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