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
Will Croxton, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
How to Watch Bengals vs Bills The Bills enter the game riding high after a dominant 26–7 victory over the Steelers, powering up their ground game behind James Cook, who rushed for 144 yards last week, as Buffalo ranks first in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
This time the player is building up a vehicle more methodically, entering short challenges that reflect the other modes in the game to gain specific power-ups.
—Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for power up
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Verb
By rotating the entire watch on its wristband, the piece can be powered up.
—Will Croxton, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025
How to Watch Bengals vs Bills The Bills enter the game riding high after a dominant 26–7 victory over the Steelers, powering up their ground game behind James Cook, who rushed for 144 yards last week, as Buffalo ranks first in the NFL in rushing yards per game.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
Noun
Beyond’s power-ups, generously spread across its 15-hour run time, don't disappoint.
—PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025
This time the player is building up a vehicle more methodically, entering short challenges that reflect the other modes in the game to gain specific power-ups.
—Ryan Gaur, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2025
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 9 Dec. 2025.
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