firepower
UK: ˈfaɪəpaʊə | US: ˈfaɪərpaʊər
n. the amount or intensity of fire that can be delivered by a weapon, military unit, or armed forces
n. (figuratively) the capacity or effectiveness of a person, group, or system to achieve a goal
The word "firepower" is a compound formed in Modern English (19th century) by combining "fire" (Old English fȳr, meaning combustion or projectile discharge) and "power" (Old French poeir, from Latin potere, meaning force or ability). It originally described military weaponry's destructive capacity but later expanded metaphorically to denote effectiveness in non-combat contexts (e.g., business, sports). The logic is straightforward: "fire" represents weapon discharge, and "power" quantifies its intensity.
The battleship’s firepower overwhelmed the enemy defenses.
Modern armies prioritize mobility over sheer firepower.
The team’s offensive firepower secured their victory in the championship.
The startup lacked the financial firepower to compete with industry giants.
Critics questioned the policy’s firepower to address economic inequality.