superpower

[ soo-per-pou-er ]

noun

1. an extremely powerful nation, especially one capable of influencing international events and the acts and policies of less powerful nations.
2. power pow power greater in scope or magnitude than that which is considered natural or has previously existed.
3. power, pow, power, especially mechanical or electric power, pow, power, on an extremely large scale secured by the linking together of a number of separate power pow power systems, with a view to more efficient and economical generation and distribution.

superpower

/ ˈsuːpəˌpaʊə /

noun

1. an extremely powerful state, such as the US
2. extremely high power, esp electrical or mechanical

Derived Forms

• ˈsuperˌpowered, adjective

Other Words From

• super·powered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of superpower¹

First recorded in 1920–25; super- + power

Example Sentences

Too many of the people we call pundits looked at him and his ridiculous digital trading cards and saw the phantasmagorial grandiose delusions of someone with superpowers not to be taken seriously.

From Salon

Canada, rich with high-grade deposits, could become a nuclear “superpower”.

From BBC

The UK government said it wanted to make the UK a "clean energy superpower" and it was asking the oil and gas sector to contribute more to that transition.

From BBC

"When you had a previous Labour government under Tony Blair, Britain saw itself as a global superpower for international development - that’s no longer the case," he says.

From BBC

It’s a sign the U.S. has declined as a superpower.

From Los Angeles Times