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
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
Dobson, who signed a max-term deal with a $9.5 million cap hit as part of a sign-and-trade to the Canadiens, has proven himself an explosive right-shot defenseman, especially on the power play.
—Rob Rossi, New York Times, 28 June 2025
These dynamics involve unconscious power plays, but often appear harmless at first.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for power play
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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
Dobson, who signed a max-term deal with a $9.5 million cap hit as part of a sign-and-trade to the Canadiens, has proven himself an explosive right-shot defenseman, especially on the power play.
—Rob Rossi, New York Times, 28 June 2025
These dynamics involve unconscious power plays, but often appear harmless at first.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 June 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 19 Jul. 2025.
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