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

Cale Makar scored his 20th goal of the season on a power play to give Colorado a 1-0 lead in the first period. —Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

The Avs kept the puck in the Dallas zone for a long time during a power play, searching for a chance to shoot. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026

Calum Ritchie had a goal and an assist on a pair of first-period power plays as the New York Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Tuesday night. —CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026

Trocheck was called for high-sticking Byfield 17 seconds later and the Kings scored 11 seconds into the power play. —Daily News, 17 Mar. 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