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

On the power play, a severe defensive breakdown by the Predators left Sam Reinhart and Bennett alone in front of the Predators’ Juuse Saros (21 saves); Reinhart dropped the puck for Bennett to easily bury 1:23 into the contest. —Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

The Ducks went on their fourth power play of the game at 3:13 of the second period after Tuch was called for hooking McTavish. —Staff and News Service Reports, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2025

Instead of starting a power play, the Sharks were in an even-strength situation. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025

Following this score, Australia faced the same trajectory as England, losing both Travis Head and Steve Smith in the power play. —Paras J. Haji, Forbes, 22 Feb. 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