power plant

American  

Or powerplant

noun

1. a plant, including engines, dynamos, etc., and the building or buildings necessary for the generation of power, as electric or nuclear power.

2. the machinery for supplying power for a particular mechanical process or operation.

3. the engine, motor, or other power source along with related ignition, transmission, etc., components of a vehicle, aircraft, machine, etc.

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power plant British  

noun

1. the complex, including machinery, associated equipment, and the structure housing it, that is used in the generation of power, esp electrical power

2. the equipment supplying power to a particular machine or for a particular operation or process

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Etymology

Origin of power plant

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Its ability to control the plasma, plus Norm’s streamlined design versus earlier research reactors, convinced TAE it can build a power plant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

That followed Israeli strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure near Bushehr, which also hosts Iran's nuclear power plant.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The two sides also signed a deal on nuclear energy at the time, with Chinh saying his country would aim to build a nuclear power plant within five years.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

Authorities said that they were focusing on the restart of the Antonio Guiteras power plant, Cuba’s largest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

When the first seismic waves reached the power plant at Fukushima Daiichi, fail-safe systems shut down the reactors.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• power station
• station