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.
The Niners on those seven or eight power plays were pulling right guard Dominick Puni. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025 While the penalty kill was again strong (5-for-5), the power play went of 0-for-2. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 Minnesota had just eight shots on goal through two periods, despite having four power plays. Brad Schlossman, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 In the story, the Twits escalate their mischief from pranks to power plays — even running for government — and Mayor Wayne becomes the absurd foil in their rise. Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 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 22 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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