air power

American  

noun

1. the total military capability of a nation for operations involving the use of aircraft and missiles.

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air power British  

noun

1. the strength of a nation's air force

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Etymology

Origin of air power

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

"This is a new type of approach to air power where you have a crewed fighter giving directions to four or five Ghost Bats flying in formation with it," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

That won’t be easy through air power alone, say Iranian analysts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Even Kosovo, often cited as the success story of coercive air power, undermines the case.

From Salon • Mar. 4, 2026

And wars have never been won with air power alone.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

Civil aviation is not, however, merely a method of amplifying service air power.

From Aviation in Peace and War by Sykes, Frederick Hugh, Sir