POWER PLAY

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does power play mean? 

• POWER PLAY (noun)
  The noun POWER PLAY has 3 senses:

1. an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power

2. a play in which there is a concentration of players in one location on the field of play

3. (ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties

  Familiarity information: POWER PLAY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• POWER PLAY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

power play; squeeze; squeeze play

Context example:

she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away

Hypernyms ("power play" is a kind of...):

attempt; effort; endeavor; endeavour; try (earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A play in which there is a concentration of players in one location on the field of play

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

they used a power play to return the kickoff

Hypernyms ("power play" is a kind of...):

football play ((American football) a play by the offensive team)

Domain category:

American football; American football game (a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the team was unable to capitalize on the power play

Hypernyms ("power play" is a kind of...):

play (a preset plan of action in team sports)

Domain category:

hockey; hockey game; ice hockey (a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled hockey sticks)