power up

1 of 2

verb

powered up; powering up; powers up

transitive verb

: to cause to operate

power up the computer

power-up

2 of 2

noun

pow·​er-up ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ˌəp 

variants or less commonly powerup or power up

plural power-ups also powerups or power ups

1

: an item in a video game that makes a player's character more effective by enhancing an attribute (such as speed, health, or strength) or conferring an ability

… a bunch of power-ups at your disposal to help overcome the odds, including the Super Bell—which gives you catlike powers and the ability to climb walls.

—Jon Bitner

You can use the direction keys on your keyboard to navigate Pac-Man through the maze, gobbling up spheres and power ups while avoiding ghosts.

—Cassidy Ward

After you collect enough gems and level up, you're able to select another weapon or powerup.

—Kris Holt

2

: the act of beginning to operate or causing something to operate

Do not use the device if the device requires multiple power-ups prior to going to "ready state" (solid green light) …

—Contify Life Science News

… on power up, the user will experience the most rapid start-up time ever …

—Business Wire

Examples of power up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Charging Without Limits: Turbo-Charged and Solar-Powered The Handsfree backpack power station can power up quickly and efficiently via mains, solar, battery, or vehicle. —New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2024

What it’s made of: Pea protein isolate and rice protein concentrate join together to power up this powder. —Suzy Forman, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

From each wonderfully robust power-up, the haptic feedback that rattles through the controller, and the eye-popping graphics which gleam and sparkle like a treasure box filled with jewels, Astro Bot is a pleasure-tickler of the highest order. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

With at least 20 grams of protein per serving, every powder below should work like Super Mario power-ups for your shakes, smoothies, and sweet treats. —Suzy Forman, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1970, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1979, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

power up

verb

: to cause to operate

power up the computer