power
noun uk/paʊər/ us/ˈpaʊ.ɚ/
(CONTROL)
B2 [ U ]影响力；操控力；势力
ability to control people and events
I've no power over him - he does what he wants to. 我管不了他——他想干什么就干什么。
Once nicotine has you in its power, it's very difficult to stop smoking. 一旦尼古丁对你起了作用，戒烟就很难了。
She has the power to charm any man she meets. 她有魅力令她碰见的每个男子都神魂颠倒。
C1 [ U ]权力；政权
the amount of political control a person or group has in a country
Does the president have more power than the prime minister? 总统是否比总理权力更大？
How long has the Conservative Party been in power? 保守党当政多久了？
The army seized power after five days of anti-government demonstrations. 反政府示威5天后，军方夺取了政权。
- More examples
- After eight years in power, the government can no longer use the previous government's policy as an alibi for its own failure.
- Until the constitution is amended, the power to appoint ministers will remain with the president.
- Fair trade, say Oxfam, is about giving poor people power.
- The army took control of the city after the president's fall from power.
- Most modern kings and queens rule only in a formal way, without real power.
(STRENGTH)
C1 [ U ]力，力量
strength
Our car doesn't have enough power to tow a trailer. 我们的轿车功率不够大，拖不动拖车。
Weightlifters have tremendous power in their arms and legs. 举重运动员的臂力和腿力极大。
Scientists are working to harness the power of the atom. 科学家们正在研究如何利用原子能。
The economic power of many Asian countries has grown dramatically in recent years. 近年来许多亚洲国家的经济实力有了显著的增长。
- More examples
- The pictures were an eloquent reminder of the power of the volcano.
- The Kon-Tiki sailed across the Pacific Ocean propelled by wind power.
- I was so terrified I seemed to lose all the power from my legs.
- It is astonishing to see the sheer power of this extraordinary athlete.
- The power of her religious faith is clear for all to see.
- We were struck by the power of the dancers' performances.
(OFFICIAL RIGHT)
[ U ]权力，权限;职权
an official or legal right to do something
[ + to infinitive ] I'd like to help but I don't have the power to intervene in this dispute. 我很想帮忙，但我无权介入此纠纷。
It's not in your power to cancel the order. 你无权取消这份订单。
I can't give you a refund - I'm afraid it's not within my power. 我不能给你退款——这恐怕不在我的职权范围内。
powers[ plural ] 权力，职权，权势
authority
You were acting beyond your powers when you agreed to give her a pay rise. 你答应给她加薪，这是在越权行事。
Visitors to the city are respectfully reminded of the council's powers to remove illegally parked vehicles. 到该市游览的游客收到礼貌的提醒，市政委员会有权拖走违章停放的车辆。
- More examples
- Since the government limited their powers, the unions are no longer a force to be reckoned with .
- I'll do everything within my power as a lawyer to achieve justice for you.
- The power to sack employees resides in the Board of Directors.
- He has been vested with the power to implement whatever changes he sees fit.
- They have the power to say yes or no to big investment projects.
(ELECTRICITY)
B1 [ U ]电力
electricity, especially when considering its use or production
You should disconnect the power before attempting to repair electrical equipment. 在检修电气设备之前应先切断电源。
Our building lost power (= the electricity was stopped) during the storm. 暴风雨中我们的房子断电了。
power cables/lines 电缆／线
- More examples
- Most of the data on the hard drive was corrupted by the power cut.
- Solar power is the conversion of the sun's energy into heat and electricity.
- The storm has affected power lines all over the region.
- a hydroelectric power station
- a nuclear power plant
(ABILITY)
powers[ plural ] 能力，本领
abilities
My mental powers aren't as good as they used to be. 我的脑力不如以前了。
C1 [ U ]能力，本领
a natural skill or an ability to do something
He was so shocked by what happened to his parents that he lost the power of speech. 发生在他父母身上的事使他惊呆了，他一句话也说不出来。
[ + to infinitive ] The surgeon did everything in her power to save him. 医生竭尽全力抢救他。
(PERSON WITH CONTROL)
C1 [ C ]掌握大权的人；有影响力的机构；强国
a person, organization, or country that has control over others, often because of wealth, importance, or great military strength
Spain was an important military power in the 16th century. 西班牙在16世纪是一个军事强国。
Germany is on its way to becoming a world power with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. 德国正在努力成为世界强国，谋求成为联合国安理会常任理事国。
She is an increasingly important power in the company. 在公司中她的权力越来越大。
- More examples
- a dominant military power
- This country would never submit to living under the heel of a foreign power.
- an imperialist power
- The major powers have said they will not send in ground troops .
- It's up to the powers that be to decide what should be done next.
(ENERGY)
[ U ] physics specialized动力，功率
the rate at which energy is used, or the ability to produce energy
The ship was only slightly damaged in the collision and was able to sail into port under its own power. 船在撞击中只是轻微受损，仍可依靠自身的动力驶入港口。
The power rating of my amplifier is 40 watts per channel. 我的扬声器的功率（级别）是每声道40瓦。
(IMAGE SIZE)
[ U ]放大率;放大倍数
the amount by which an image is increased by a device used for seeing things that are very small or a long distance away
What's the magnification power of your binoculars? 你的双筒望远镜的放大倍数是多少？
You'll need a very high-power microscope to see something as small as that. 要观察那么小的东西，你需要一台高倍显微镜。
A low-power telescope is enough if you only want to look at the moon. 只观看月相用低倍望远镜就足够了。
(MATHEMATICS)
[ S ] mathematics specialized幂，乘方
the number of times that a number is to be multiplied by itself
2 to the fourth power is 2 times 2 times 2 times 2, which equals 16. 2的4次方就是2乘2乘2乘2，等于16。
3 to the power 4 is usually written as 34. 3的4次方通常写作34。
Idioms
do someone a power of goodidiom UK 对（某人）大有好处
to be extremely good for someone
He's been working too hard and some time off would do him a power of good. 他工作一直太辛苦，休息一段时间会对他大有好处。
more power to your elbow!idiom UK (US more power to you!) 再接再厉！加油！
an expression of praise or admiration for someone's success or brave actions
"I've decided to quit my job and set up my own business." "Well, good for you. More power to your elbow!" “我已决定辞职自己创业。”“好样的。加油干吧！”
the power behind the throneidiom 幕后的实权人物，幕后操纵者
someone who does not have an official position in a government or organization but who secretly controls it
the powers that beidiom 当权派；权力集团
important people who have authority over others
It's up to the powers that be to decide what should be done next. 由当权派来决定下一步该怎么办。
power
verb uk/paʊər/ us/ˈpaʊ.ɚ/
(ENERGY)
[ T ]为…提供动力，驱动
to provide a machine with energy and the ability to operate
Buses and trucks are usually powered by diesel engines. 公共汽车和卡车通常是由柴油机驱动的。
Electricity costs less than petrol, so powering an electric vehicle is cheaper. 电比汽油的成本低，所以电动力车会比较省钱。
(STRENGTH)
[ I usually + adv/prep ]增加力量;奋力行动
to act with great strength or in a forceful way
Halfway through, she powered into the lead and went on to win the race. 到半程时，她加速冲到前面，一直领先，赢得了赛跑冠军。
Phrasal verbs
power through (something) 保持顽强坚定直到最后
to continue in a strong and determined way until the end of something, even when this is difficult
resilient companies that have powered through the economic downturn 坚持度过经济下跌期的适应力强的公司
The challenge will be overwhelming at times, but we just have to power (on) through. 有时候挑战会铺天盖地而来，但是我们必须坚持到底。
power (something) up （使）启动；（使）积蓄能量；（使）养精蓄锐
If something that needs power or energy powers up, or if someone powers it up, it is turned on or prepared so that it is ready for use or action.
The computer takes a few seconds to power up after it's been switched on. 计算机开机后需要几秒钟的启动时间。
College baseball teams across the country are powering up for the new season. 全国各大学棒球队正在为新赛季积极备战。