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
The second-year pro shook off a first-period cross-check from Ryan Lindgren, which put the Bruins on a five-on-three power play.
—
Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
On a third-period power play, the Panthers made Swiss cheese of the Hawks’ penalty kill en route to a Carter Verhaeghe back-door goal.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
The backbreaking moment came at the 5:58 mark of the second period, as shortly after a Sharks power play expired, Jaden Schwartz came out of the penalty box and beat goalie Yaroslav Askarov on a breakaway for a 4-1 Seattle lead.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025
The power play was a mess, as well, leading to Ottawa’s 1-0 first-period lead.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for power play 
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Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
On a third-period power play, the Panthers made Swiss cheese of the Hawks’ penalty kill en route to a Carter Verhaeghe back-door goal.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
The backbreaking moment came at the 5:58 mark of the second period, as shortly after a Sharks power play expired, Jaden Schwartz came out of the penalty box and beat goalie Yaroslav Askarov on a breakaway for a 4-1 Seattle lead.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025
The power play was a mess, as well, leading to Ottawa’s 1-0 first-period lead.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for power play
Dictionary Entries Near power play
Cite this Entry
“Power play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20play. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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