war power

noun

: the power to make war
specifically : an extraordinary power exercised usually by the executive branch of a government in the prosecution of a war

Examples of war power in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Unlike war powers resolutions, which in this case would limit military action after the fact, new spending cannot occur until Congress writes and passes legislation appropriating additional funds. Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026 The Constitution on war powers, executive power, DHS funding and Kennedy style, in readers’ eyes. Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026 Hathaway and Waxman note that the courts have mostly avoided weighing in on debates over war powers, leaving Congress to guard its own authority. Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026 Paul’s comments reflected the reluctance of GOP lawmakers who supported a war powers resolution to stop additional military action against Venezuela to now vote to cease military hostilities against Iran. Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for war power

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of war power was in 1766

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Cite this Entry

“War power.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20power. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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