: head, poll

pow

2 of 4

noun (2)

: a sound of a blow or explosion

POW

3 of 4

noun (3)

ˌpē-(ˌ)ō-ˈdə-bəl-(ˌ)yü How to pronounce POW (audio)
-bə-(ˌ)yü;
-ˈdəb-(ˌ)yü

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
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.
Noun
The 37 pow wow models sit on a turntable that once moved in a circle, but now doesn’t move due to mechanical issues. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2024 The modern pow wow scene helped change that perception. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2024 Leopard Academy Preppy extras take the pow out of leopard print. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 29 July 2024 Jackman retired the character after 2017’s Logan, still the high-water mark for superhero movies that aspire to be more than the sum of their zaps and pows. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for pow 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pow was circa 1500

Dictionary Entries Near pow

Cite this Entry

“Pow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pow. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on pow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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