air power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumFormal, academic, military, political, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “air power” mean?
The military strength and capabilities provided by a nation's aircraft and air force, especially in warfare.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The military strength and capabilities provided by a nation's aircraft and air force, especially in warfare.
The strategic use of aviation (including fighter jets, bombers, transport aircraft, and drones) to achieve military objectives, project force, and gain superiority in a conflict. Can also refer to the doctrine or theory emphasizing the decisive role of air forces.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. 'Air power' is the standard term in both varieties. 'Airpower' as a single closed compound is also found, slightly more common in American military writing but not exclusive.
Connotations
In both, it strongly connotes military strategy and national defence. In US discourse, it's often linked to post-WWII global strategy and technological supremacy.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the larger global role and budget of the US Air Force. Common in UK strategic and defence discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “air power” in a Sentence
VERB (deploy/use/project) + air powerADJECTIVE (superior/strategic) + air powerPREP (through/with/by) air powerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “air power” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The RAF was able to successfully air-power the enemy into submission. (rare, non-standard)
- They sought to air-power the region. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- The doctrine aimed to air-power the enemy's infrastructure. (rare, non-standard)
- Strategists debated how to effectively air-power the theatre. (rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- The campaign was fought air-powerfully. (extremely rare/awkward)
- They responded air-powerfully. (extremely rare/awkward)
American English
- They struck air-powerfully. (extremely rare/awkward)
- The conflict was decided air-powerfully. (extremely rare/awkward)
adjective
British English
- An air-power demonstration was planned. (attributive use)
- The air-power gap was concerning. (attributive use)
American English
- The air-power doctrine evolved. (attributive use)
- An air-power analyst gave a briefing. (attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in defence industry contexts: 'The contract will boost the nation's air power.'
Academic
Common in military history, strategic studies, international relations, and political science papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Used in news discussions about military conflicts.
Technical
Core term in military doctrine, defence analysis, and Air Force training manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “air power”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “air power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “air power”
- Using it for commercial aviation ('The country's air power brings many tourists' - incorrect). Treating it as a countable noun ('They have three air powers'). Confusing with 'air pressure' or 'wind power'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'air power' (open compound) and 'airpower' (closed compound) are used. 'Air power' is more common in general and UK usage, while 'airpower' is frequent in American military terminology. Both are correct.
No, not typically. It is a military and strategic term. For civilian capacity, terms like 'aviation industry', 'commercial air fleet', or 'airlift capacity' are used.
'Air power' is the general capability. 'Air superiority' is a specific condition achieved when one side's air power dominates the skies to the point where the other side cannot effectively operate.
Yes, modern definitions of air power encompass all weapon systems operating in the air domain, including unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), cruise missiles, and support aircraft, not just manned fighter jets and bombers.
The military strength and capabilities provided by a nation's aircraft and air force, especially in warfare.
Air power is usually formal, academic, military, political, journalistic in register.
Air power: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeə ˌpaʊə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈer ˌpaʊər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The long arm of air power”
- “To bring air power to bear”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a powerful AIRplane that gives a nation its POWER in a conflict = AIR POWER.
Conceptual Metaphor
AIR POWER IS A PROJECTABLE FORCE (extending reach), AIR POWER IS A SHIELD (for defence), AIR POWER IS A DECISIVE HAMMER (for attack).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'air power' LEAST likely to be used correctly?