pow

¹

[pou]

interjection

1. (used to express or indicate a heavy blow or a loud, explosive noise.)

noun

1. a heavy blow or a loud, explosive noise.

2. the power of exciting.

adjective

1. exciting and appealing.

pow

²

[poh, pou]

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. the head; poll.

POW

³

Or P.O.W.

1. prisoner of war.

POW

¹

abbreviation

1. prisoner of war

pow

²

/ paʊ /

interjection

1. an exclamation imitative of a collision, explosion, etc

pow

³

/ paʊ /

noun

1. the head or a head of hair

pow

⁴

/ paʊ /

noun

1. a creek or slow stream

Word History and Origins

Origin of POW¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

Origin of POW²

First recorded in 1715–25; variant of poll ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of POW¹

a Scot variant of _poll

Origin of POW²

C15: from earlier Scots poll

Example Sentences

"I don't recall training on international humanitarian law," a Russian POW told the UN recently.

From BBC

Bella Aguirre sat on a stool at Sticky Rice’s counter, finishing her meal of pad kra pow.

From Los Angeles Times

The daily confidential pow wow that precedes the actual conclave will enable many of them to meet for the first time and decide to what extent they want to restore the past or look to the future.

From BBC

He succeeded in escaping a PoW camp at Arras in France.

From BBC

Donnie died in a PoW hospital in 1941 and because he had suffered with a rare neurological condition an autopsy was performed on his body.

From BBC

Related Words

• clout 
• courage 
• durability 
• energy 
• firmness www.thesaurus.com
• fortitude 
• health 
• power 
• stability 
• tenacity 
• toughness 
• vigor 
• vitality