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

See Examples For:

air power

Some US analysts have described the loss of an F-15E deep inside Iranian territory, followed by the destruction of several rescue aircraft, as showing the limitations of the US air power.

From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2026

Such vessels can largely be deterred by the U.S. dominant air power, but “European powers will not be able, and probably not willing, to replace that capability,” Nadimi said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026

"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

Since then, American air power has played an essential role in defeating adversaries, though successful operations to oust regimes have drawn on U.S. or local ground forces.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026

American air power is demolished as the Japanese airstrikes continue.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly