superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 
1
: excessive or superior power
2
a
: an extremely powerful nation
specifically
: one of a very few dominant states in an era when the world is divided politically into these states and their satellites
b
: an international governing body able to enforce its will upon the most powerful states
c
: an extremely powerful company, organization, etc.
The retailer hoped to become a financial services superpower …—
Patricia Sellers
Patricia Sellers3
: a power or ability (such as the ability to become invisible or to fly) of the kind possessed by superheroes : a superhuman power
The comic book Ms. Marvel offers a Muslim-American girl from New Jersey who practices her faith while using her superpower to help people.—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-JabbarThe superpower I've always wished for is invisibility, and I chose my vocation accordingly. A novelist gets 140,000 words per one tiny author photo. That's a visibility ratio I can live with.—Barbara Kingsolver
Barbara KingsolverExamples of superpower in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
China has become a clean-tech superpower and is keen to export its products.
—Justin Worland, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
As art imitates life, Simon will eventually get superpowers himself.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
The Caesarism inherent in the original American presidency got turbocharged not just by the New Deal but also by the country’s ascension to superpower status.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
France has been at the forefront of the movement to stem the flow of cheap and illicit goods into the EU, with French President Emmanuel Macron going as far as to threaten China with tariffs to rectify the growing trade imbalance between Europe and the sourcing superpower.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
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Justin Worland, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
As art imitates life, Simon will eventually get superpowers himself.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Dec. 2025
The Caesarism inherent in the original American presidency got turbocharged not just by the New Deal but also by the country’s ascension to superpower status.
—Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
France has been at the forefront of the movement to stem the flow of cheap and illicit goods into the EU, with French President Emmanuel Macron going as far as to threaten China with tariffs to rectify the growing trade imbalance between Europe and the sourcing superpower.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superpower
Cite this Entry
“Superpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superpower. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
superpower
noun
su·per·pow·er
ˈsü-pər-ˌpau̇(-ə)r
: an extremely powerful nation
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