powered up; powering up; powers up
: to cause to operate
power up the computer
pow·er-up
ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ˌəp 
variants
or less commonly powerup
or power up
plural power-ups also powerups or power ups
1
: an item in a video game that makes a player's character more effective by enhancing an attribute (such as speed, health, or strength) or conferring an ability
… a bunch of power-ups at your disposal to help overcome the odds, including the Super Bell—which gives you catlike powers and the ability to climb walls.—
Jon Bitner
Jon BitnerYou can use the direction keys on your keyboard to navigate Pac-Man through the maze, gobbling up spheres and power ups while avoiding ghosts.—Cassidy Ward
Cassidy WardAfter you collect enough gems and level up, you're able to select another weapon or powerup.—Kris Holt
Kris Holt2
: the act of beginning to operate or causing something to operate
Do not use the device if the device requires multiple power-ups prior to going to "ready state" (solid green light) …—Contify Life Science News
Contify Life Science News… on power up, the user will experience the most rapid start-up time ever …—Business Wire
Business WireExamples of power up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jackie Wattles, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
This solar power charging bank offers campers two options to power up: a charging cable and solar power.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2024
Suzy Forman, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024
There are a lot of new layers to the Zombies mode this time around with elaborate boss fights, randomized, time sensitive power-ups, upgradable items, and multiple ways to explore.
—Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for power up 
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Verb
Meanwhile, on a mountaintop in northern Chile, the US National Science Foundation and Stanford University researchers are preparing to power up the world’s largest digital camera inside the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024
This solar power charging bank offers campers two options to power up: a charging cable and solar power.
—Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2024
Noun
With at least 20 grams of protein per serving, every powder below should work like Super Mario power-ups for your shakes, smoothies, and sweet treats.
—Suzy Forman, SELF, 21 Nov. 2024
There are a lot of new layers to the Zombies mode this time around with elaborate boss fights, randomized, time sensitive power-ups, upgradable items, and multiple ways to explore.
—Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for power up
Dictionary Entries Near power up
Cite this Entry
“Power up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20up. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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