power play
noun
1
: a military, diplomatic, political, or administrative maneuver in which power is brought to bear
2
a
: a concentrated attack in football in which the ballcarrier is preceded by a mass of blockers
b
: a situation in ice hockey in which one team temporarily has more players on the ice than the other team because of a penalty
Examples of power play in a Sentence
They scored their first goal on a power play.
He made a power play to seize control of the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
In his debut in the Red-White game, Gardner stopped 14 of 17 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss, but two of the goals came on the power play, and the other was with the opposing net empty.
—
Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Shares of data center power plays Constellation Energy and Vistra added more than 4% and 6%, respectively, in sympathy.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 18 July 2025
There are no power plays or overtime, instead opting for shootouts in both situations.
—Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
Their biggest hire, however, was former Edmonton head coach Jay Woodcroft, who will be tasked primarily with turning around a perpetually hapless power play.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for power play
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Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Shares of data center power plays Constellation Energy and Vistra added more than 4% and 6%, respectively, in sympathy.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 18 July 2025
There are no power plays or overtime, instead opting for shootouts in both situations.
—Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025
Their biggest hire, however, was former Edmonton head coach Jay Woodcroft, who will be tasked primarily with turning around a perpetually hapless power play.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for power play
Cite this Entry
“Power play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20play. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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