war powers

plural noun

1. the powers exercised by the president or by Congress during a war or a crisis affecting national security.

Word History and Origins

Origin of war powers¹

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Congress authorized his war powers, and, sadly, most of the members who did so were only thinking about their own political futures rather than the facts.

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At least back then, the verbal denigration was being done under the president’s war powers.

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His suit also questioned Trump’s assertion that the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 gave him war powers to arrest and deport “hostile” aliens.

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“I think the intrusion upon the war powers and foreign policy powers of the president is utterly unprecedented,” Ensign said.

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But then the alleged isolationist peacenik Donald Trump has been itching to use war powers since he became president the first time.

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