a heavy blow or a loud, explosive noise.
the power of exciting.
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85
First recorded in 1715–25; variant of poll 1
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bella Aguirre sat on a stool at Sticky Rice’s counter, finishing her meal of pad kra pow.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2025
His wife, Jenna Dramise, also posted on Instagram, saying “tonight I hope to ride some pow or bikes with you in my dreams.”
From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 2023
"Toy soldiers, all that jazz. Even now I'm like, 'pow, pow, pow,' on the tour bus."
From BBC • Sep. 4, 2022
The pope delivered his message in a pow wow circle, a covered ring surrounding an open space used for traditional dancing and drumming circles.
From New York Times • Jul. 25, 2022
So I went to his gym, and every day I bounced around, pow pow pow, light as air on my feet, and then, boom! a hook you never saw coming.
From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
