superpower

American  

[soo-per-pou-er] / ˈsu pərˌpaʊ ər /

noun

1. an extremely powerful nation, especially one capable of influencing international events and the acts and policies of less powerful nations.

2. power pow power greater in scope or magnitude than that which is considered natural or has previously existed.

3. power, pow, power, especially mechanical or electric power, pow, power, on an extremely large scale secured by the linking together of a number of separate power pow power systems, with a view to more efficient and economical generation and distribution.

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superpower British  

/ ˈsuːpəˌpaʊə /

noun

1. an extremely powerful state, such as the US

2. extremely high power, esp electrical or mechanical

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Other Word Forms

• superpowered adjective

Etymology

Origin of superpower

First recorded in 1920–25; super- + power

Example Sentences

The two superpowers, Zandi said, are now “running away from each other as much as possible.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Don't be afraid of being different, it's your superpower.

From BBC

“In that case, I don’t think it’s a very good superpower.”

From Literature

But hang on: One nation he proposes as a potential boycotter is Brazil, the sport’s dominant superpower and five-time World Cup champion.

From Salon

Aside from some remarks in support of Iran's anti-government protests this month, Israel's prime minister has had little to say publicly about his superpower ally taking on his biggest enemy.

From BBC