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
Late in the game, Tomlinson had the puck on a power play and faced a choice between shooting or passing to Sullivan.
—
Peter Baugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
That power play came after Carr’s threats against Disney, giving the two station groups cover for a boycott.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Hakstol will be in charge of Colorado’s power play.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
After a power play for each side in the middle frame, the Ducks cracked the game open with a pair of goals that came 68 seconds apart, at the 4:10 and 5:18 marks.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for power play
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Peter Baugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
That power play came after Carr’s threats against Disney, giving the two station groups cover for a boycott.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Hakstol will be in charge of Colorado’s power play.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2025
After a power play for each side in the middle frame, the Ducks cracked the game open with a pair of goals that came 68 seconds apart, at the 4:10 and 5:18 marks.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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