power plant

noun

1
: an electric utility generating station
2
: an engine and related parts supplying the motive power of a self-propelled object (such as a rocket or automobile)

Examples of power plant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tennessee’s licensing process is now the international benchmark for how to ensure fusion power plant ‘safety by design’ in a manner that can unlock the compelling economics of this transformational power generation technology. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 Video shows Nepali army rescuing two people from the tunnel of a hydro power plant in Rasuwa, Nepal. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 At a key power plant that was severely damaged by the floods, workers started inspecting the facilities Sunday to survey the destruction. — Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Hyper-scale data centers often demand new natural-gas power plants and transmission lines, and Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission approves or denies permits for such developments, with no requirement for input from local communities. — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for power plant

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of power plant was in 1871

Rhymes for power plant

See All Rhymes for power plant

Browse Nearby Words

power pack
power plant
power play
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Power plant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/power%20plant. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

power plant

noun
: a building in which electric power is generated

More from Merriam-Webster on power plant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about power plant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All