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

Padrone The Primera is powered up by double-tapping the side of the index finger with the thumb. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 28 Oct. 2024

Lawless immediately revels in the outdoor immersion, powering up and over the rugged terrain on the western outskirts of Las Vegas, a mere 20 minutes from the Strip. —Outside Online, 20 Sep. 2024

Noun

Maximizing her spending rating, minimizing her taxation damage, playing her middle-class power-ups, and making sure to hit the swing-state boosts no doubt earn Harris a good score in the video-game economy. —The Editors, National Review, 1 Oct. 2024

Nearly every stage has a special power-up tied to it. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 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