petropower

[ pe-troh-pou-er ]

noun

1. the economic or political power pow power of a nation resulting from its petroleum reserves needed by other nations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of petropower¹

First recorded in 1975–80; petro- ² + power

Example Sentences

The declining petropower of the Arab countries has emboldened many Third World oil-using nations to renew contacts with Israel broken off during the 1974 oil crisis.

From Time Magazine Archive

The struggle for petropower has barely begun.

From Time Magazine Archive

The huge gas supply and the appalling waste are symbolic of the future promise and present uncertainty of Mexico's growing oil and gas discoveries, findings that are propelling the poor but potentially mighty neighbor across the river into the world of petropower and intrigue.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was a devastatingly ironic example of petropower.

From Time Magazine Archive

Several other countries rose on petropower.

From Time Magazine Archive