firepower
firepower Lexical Profile
firepower Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The destructive capacity of guns, missiles, or a military unit, measured by the volume and weight of ammunition that can be delivered.
"Naval historians analyzed how the introduction of dreadnought battleships dramatically increased the fleet's overall firepower."
Impressive strength, capability, or resources available to achieve a goal in a competitive, financial, or intellectual endeavor.
"The research institute brought in several leading data scientists to add intellectual firepower to the climate modeling project."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 20th century as a military compound of "fire" (in the sense of discharging firearms or artillery) and "power," before expanding into figurative use in business, sports, and politics.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.