powered up; powering up; powers up
: to cause to operate
power up the computer
pow·er-up
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ˌəp 
variants
or less commonly powerup
or power up
plural power-ups also powerups or power ups
1
: an item in a video game that makes a player's character more effective by enhancing an attribute (such as speed, health, or strength) or conferring an ability
… a bunch of power-ups at your disposal to help overcome the odds, including the Super Bell—which gives you catlike powers and the ability to climb walls.—
Jon Bitner
Jon BitnerYou can use the direction keys on your keyboard to navigate Pac-Man through the maze, gobbling up spheres and power ups while avoiding ghosts.—Cassidy Ward
Cassidy WardAfter you collect enough gems and level up, you're able to select another weapon or powerup.—Kris Holt
Kris Holt2
: the act of beginning to operate or causing something to operate
The drive is instantly recognized and ready to go on power-up.—Dwight Silverman
Dwight Silverman… on power up, the user will experience the most rapid start-up time ever …—Business Wire
Business WireExamples of power up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
John Hopewell, Variety, 18 June 2026
The Killer has to hunt down the Survivors and sacrifice them to a force known as the Entity, while the Survivors have to avoid being caught and power up the exit gates by fixing a series of generators.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie just scored a power-up two months after its release.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for power up
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Verb
That readership is powered up organically by one of the largest language markets in the world.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 18 June 2026
The Killer has to hunt down the Survivors and sacrifice them to a force known as the Entity, while the Survivors have to avoid being caught and power up the exit gates by fixing a series of generators.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 June 2026
Noun
The partner concept is also incorporated into combination attacks, where the protagonist can call on them to perform a powerful attack or support them with a heal or power-up.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie just scored a power-up two months after its release.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for power up
Cite this Entry
“Power up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20up. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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