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

The War Powers clock expires Oct. 8, with a possible extension to Nov. 8.

From The Daily Beast

Then he tried to claim there were no “hostilities” in Libya, to nullify the War Powers Resolution.

From The Daily Beast

This clause contains one of the basic war powers granted to Congress.

From The Daily Beast

No mention of civil liberties and what a president thinks is permissible for war powers and on the Constitution.

From The Daily Beast

The present confrontation over the War Powers Act requires Congress to rethink some tragic events of the past decade.

From The Daily Beast

The proclamation did not purport to rest upon any constitutional power, but upon war powers solely.

From Project Gutenberg

The bills now under consideration are obviously founded on the War Powers.

From Project Gutenberg

The War Powers of Congress are ample; but in time of war a mere penal statute against a public enemy is not so much as a pop-gun.

From Project Gutenberg

Here was the old issue of the war powers in a new form that it was safe for them to press.

From Project Gutenberg

But war time is no time for theories, and a man with war powers in his hands is not one to parley with them.

From Project Gutenberg