power base

American  

noun

1. a source of authority or influence, especially in politics, founded on support by an organized body of voters, ethnic minority, economic class, etc..

   His election as governor gives him a power base for seeking the presidency.

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Etymology

Origin of power base

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Subsequent probes ousted a loose grouping of officers, led by Zhang’s perceived rivals, who once served with a PLA formation in the southeastern province of Fujian, a power base for Xi.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

Once they withdrew their support, he had no power base and so surrendered.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

Lacking both the respect of the clergy and Khomeini's personal popularity, the new supreme leader moved cautiously to build his own power base.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

A major market risk continues to build in Asia, where a reported move by Japan’s new prime minister to consolidate her power base could lead to an extended torrent of liquidity out of U.S. stocks.

From Barron's • Jan. 13, 2026

Likewise opera, or dramma per musica as it was known in its first, Italian century, spread from its power base in Venice to Naples and Rome, and thence north into Germany.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall