power

noun | pow·er
  1. : capability of acting or of producing an effect parties of unequal bargaining power

  1. aab : authority or capacity to act that is delegated by law or constitution —often used in pl.

    — commerce power
    : the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to regulate commerce especially among the states — see also commerce clause

    — concurrent power
    : a power that is held simultaneously by more than one entity; specifically : a power delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution that is also held by the states

    — enumerated powers
    : the powers specifically named and delegated to the federal government or prohibited to be exercised by the states under the U.S. Constitution — compare reserved powers in this entry

    — executive power
    : the power delegated to the executive of a government; specifically : any or all of the powers delegated to the president under Article II of the U.S. Constitution

    — implied power
    : a power that is reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes of a power expressly granted; especially : a power that is not specifically delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution but that is implied by the necessary and proper clause to be delegated for the purpose of carrying out the enumerated powers — see also McCulloch v. Maryland

    — judicial power
    : the power granted to the judicial branch of a government; specifically : the power delegated to the judiciary under Article III of the U.S. Constitution

    — legislative power
    : the power delegated to a legislative branch of a government; specifically : any or all of the powers delegated to Congress under Article I of the U.S. Constitution

    — police power
    : the power of a government to exercise reasonable control over persons and property within its jurisdiction in the interest of the general security, health, safety, morals, and welfare except where legally prohibited (as by constitutional provision)

    — reserved powers
    : the political powers reserved by a constitution to the exclusive jurisdiction of a specified political authority; specifically : powers that are not expressly delegated to the federal government nor expressly prohibited to the states and are therefore left to the states under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — compare enumerated powers in this entry

    — spending power
    : the power granted to a government body to make expenditures; specifically : the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the U.S.

    — taxing power
    : the power granted to a government body to lay and collect taxes; specifically : such power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution

    — war powers
    : the powers delegated to the executive and legislative branches of the federal government relating to the waging of war: as a : the power delegated to Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to declare war b : the power delegated to the president under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution to serve as commander in chief of the armed forces

    b : one having such power; specifically : a sovereign state : a sovereign state

  1. a : possession of control, authority, or influence over others

    b : one having such power; specifically : a sovereign state : a sovereign state

    c : political control or influence