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

Shai Buium scored in both games for the Red Wings, first on a pretty downhill snipe on Saturday and then from the flank on the power play on Sunday. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

After missing the remainder of the regular season, Tkachuk returned in time for the playoffs, leading the team in points (23), power play goals (five) and ranking second in assists (15). —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

The party in power plays up the strengths and successes of the first two years. —Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025

Look to these for serious power play among your wardrobe staples, such as straight-leg denim, midi-skirts, and tailored trousers, to really amp up your look. —Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025

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