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

Panthers kill a pair of Oilers power plays to stay up 2-0 When second period play was five-on-five, the Panthers got their forecheck working and were extending some Oilers shifts in the period with the benches farther from the defensive zone. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 June 2025

On the power play, guy made a great shot, post and in. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025

The Oilers gave the Panthers three power plays in the opening frame a game after giving them four in the first 20 minutes. —The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 13 June 2025

The Bruins were 28th in goals scored, 26th in goals against, 29th in power play and 24th in penalty kill. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for power play

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway