power vacuum

American  

[pou-er vak-yoom, -yoo-uhm, -yuhm] / ˈpaʊ ər ˌvæk yum, -yu əm, -yəm /

noun

1. a situation where there is a lack of leadership in a government or organization, often because an existing leader has left or been lost.

   The power vacuum left by the chairman’s sudden departure has created a bitter contest for control.

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Etymology

Origin of power vacuum

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

I spoke with my source in Isfahan and asked about the potential power vacuum.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

Mora said that "in the absence of a direct succession, a power vacuum is created that opens the door to violent realignments within the organization."

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

The Patriots and Seahawks, however, developed far quicker than nearly anyone had imagined and stepped into that power vacuum.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

Amid this power vacuum, two alternative power centers have emerged.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

Just as in Iraq after Saddam Hussein’s downfall, or as in Russia in the first days after the revolution, the evaporation of an established order left a power vacuum.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith