pow

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpō  ˈpau̇ 

: head, poll

pow

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈpau̇ 

: a sound of a blow or explosion

POW

3 of 4

noun (3)

ˌpē-(ˌ)ō-ˈdə-bəl-(ˌ)yü 

-bə-(ˌ)yü;

-ˈdəb-(ˌ)yü

: prisoner of war

POW

4 of 4

abbreviation

Powassan (virus)

According to a Center for Disease Control spokeswoman, POW virus can infect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).

—Rick Murphy

There is no specific treatment, but people with severe POW virus illnesses often need to be hospitalized to receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids, or medications to reduce swelling in the brain.

—Kathryn Gallerani

Examples of pow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The latest kerfuffle involved his inability to get on the same page with Shohei Ohtani during Ohtani’s last start, which led to cross-ups, mound conferences and dugout pow-wows. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 30 June 2026

The white man is allowed at the pow, though some Indians may get lippy. — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Noun

Supervising large groups of prisoners in Europe while adhering to the POW treatment policies established by the Geneva Conventions diverted food, transportation and medical resources from the American war effort overseas. — Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 20 June 2026

He was eventually captured by Franco’s Nationalists, beaten and later sent to North Africa to fight for Spain as a POW. — Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of poll

Noun (2)

imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1500, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1918, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pow

• bao
• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau

Kids Definition

POW

noun

ˌpē-ˌō-ˈdəb-əl-(ˌ)yü 

: prisoner of war

Medical Definition

POW

abbreviation

Powassan (virus)

According to a Center for Disease Control spokeswoman, POW virus can infect the central nervous system and cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord).

—Rick Murphy

There is no specific treatment, but people with severe POW virus illnesses often need to be hospitalized to receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids, or medications to reduce swelling in the brain.

—Kathryn Gallerani