Definition of superpower
1 : excessive or superior power
2a : 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 satellitesb : an international governing body able to enforce its will upon the most powerful states
Read the Latest from M-W
Recent Examples of superpower from the Web
-
But somehow spandex tights and superpowers seemed to belong to the traditional hypermasculine superhero.
-
Remarkably—and, unthinkably, as recently as one year ago—today China seems to be the world’s most likeable superpower.
-
The Warriors, the league’s resident superpower, delivered a 113-91 victory to strike the first blow in the best-of-seven series.
-
The last, in particular, flourished and became a commercial and naval superpower known for its nautical might and liberal attitude toward moneylending.
-
Such a role caused a heightening of tension between the superpowers known as the Cold War, which turned into hot wars in Korea and Vietnam, and near world destruction with the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.
-
Gal Gadot plays the title character, who discovers her superpowers and fights for justice alongside humans after following a charming spy (Chris Pine) to London during World War I.
-
But his Jack Lemmon-esque superpowers — a cocktail of darkness and light — are put to good use, even when the movie is most strained by the character’s impossibility.
-
Europe is not a superpower mainly because its people don't want to spend the money necessary to become one.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'superpower'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
1849
First Known Use of superpower
1849
SUPERPOWER Defined for English Language Learners
superpower
playDefinition of superpower for English Language Learners
-
: an extremely powerful nation
Learn More about superpower
-
See words that rhyme with superpower Spanish Central: Translation of superpower Nglish: Translation of superpower for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of superpower for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up superpower? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!