firepower

or fire pow·er

[ fahyuhr-pou-er ]

/ ˈfaɪərˌpaʊ ər /

Save This Word!

noun

the capability of a military force, unit, or weapons system as measured by the amount of gunfire, number of missiles, etc., deliverable to a target.

the capability or potential, as of an organization, for action or achieving results.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of firepower

First recorded in 1910–15; fire + power

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use firepower in a sentence

Israel of course maintains an absolute dominance in the technological and fire-power arena.
Seven Takeaways From The Gaza Ceasefire|Daniel Levy|November 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Merkah group has fishing boats with longer-range fire power.
The Pirate Whisperer|Shaun Assael|February 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
But certainly he had never fought with anybody who could equal the Black Hood in speed and fire power.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
Victory must therefore fall to the side that can develop the greatest fire power in the shortest time.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5|Various

By skillful use of ground, a firing line may reduce its visibility without loss of fire power.
Infantry Drill Regulations, United States Army, 1911|United States War Department
To plan forts, to obtain the widest scope for the fire power of their guns, is fascinating work to a gunner.
The Chronicles of a Gay Gordon|Jos Maria Gordon
Here there was every inducement to augment fire-power without dismounting whole regiments for the purpose.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for firepower

fire power

noun military

the amount of fire that may be delivered by a unit or weapon

the capability of delivering fire

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012