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

In West Virginia, a project to build a gas-fired power plant intended solely to supply a massive data center is facing opposition from many residents concerned about its health and environmental impacts.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

One struck the chimney of a power plant in Auvere, Estonia, while another exploded in the southern Kraslava region of Latvia.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Meanwhile, the UN nuclear watchdog said Iranian authorities had reported a projectile impact at the country's only operational nuclear power plant but that it caused no damage.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Fighting around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is near the front lines in the war, has knocked out external power lines to the facility numerous times, forcing it to rely on backup generators.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

In San Juan, New Mexico, in 1991, a pipe at a power plant burst.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Related Words

• power station
• station