willpower

American  

[wil-poh-er] / ˈwɪlˌpoʊ ər /

Or will power

noun

1. control of one's impulses and actions; self-control.

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willpower British  

/ ˈwɪlˌpaʊə /

noun

1. the ability to control oneself and determine one's actions

2. firmness of will

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Etymology

Origin of willpower

First recorded in 1870–75; will ² ( def. ) + power ( def. )

Example Sentences

The order said that US superiority in space was a measure of national vision and willpower, contributing to the nation's strength, security and prosperity.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

It’s much easier to stock a supportive fridge, prep a few flexible building blocks and make healthy food genuinely delicious than it is to rely solely on willpower.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2026

As Ro Chief Executive Officer Zach Reitano puts it in an interview: “No one in the world has more willpower than Serena Williams.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

"We must fight to be truly free, and that can only be achieved through willpower."

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

It took all my willpower not to look.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• firmness
• grit
• self-control
• self-discipline