b power supply
High (in technical contexts), Medium (in everyday contexts)Technical, formal, business, everyday
Definition
Meaning
A device or system that provides electrical energy to operate electrical equipment.
More broadly, any source of energy, authority, or enabling force that sustains a system or operation. In computing, it refers specifically to the unit that converts mains AC to low-voltage DC for internal components.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun phrase, often treated as a compound noun. Can refer to the physical device ('the power supply') or the service/availability of electricity ('the power supply to the building').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. In UK technical contexts, 'mains' is more common for the general electricity supply. In US, 'outlet' or 'wall socket' is more common for the point of supply.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical domains in both varieties. Slightly more common in everyday US English to refer to the electrical service to a home ('The storm disrupted the power supply').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Device] requires a stable power supply.The [system] is connected to the main power supply.A [type] power supply is needed for this equipment.The power supply to [area/device] was cut.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pull the plug on something (idiomatically related to cutting power/support).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussions of infrastructure, operational continuity, and equipment requirements.
Academic
Engineering, physics, and computer science texts discussing electrical systems.
Everyday
Talking about charging devices, home electricity, or power cuts.
Technical
Specifying voltage, wattage, amperage, and connector types for electronic components.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The generator will power supply the emergency lights.
- The system is designed to power-supply the entire network.
American English
- The new plant will power supply the whole county.
- This circuit is meant to power-supply the auxiliary units.
adjective
British English
- We need to check the power-supply voltage.
- There was a power-supply issue in the data centre.
American English
- Check the power supply unit under the desk.
- We experienced a power supply failure during the test.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My laptop needs a power supply.
- The power supply in my house is good.
- I bought a new power supply for my computer.
- The storm damaged the power supply to our village.
- An uninterruptible power supply is essential for servers.
- The device requires a 12-volt DC power supply to operate correctly.
- Fluctuations in the mains power supply can damage sensitive instrumentation.
- The country's economic stability is contingent on a reliable power supply for its industries.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SUPPLY truck delivering POWER to a city. The power supply delivers electrical energy to your devices.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTRICITY IS A LIQUID/GAS (supply, flow, current, drain).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'сила поставка'. Correct is 'источник питания' or 'блок питания'.
- Do not confuse with 'power' alone ('сила/мощность'). 'Power supply' is the source/device.
- In computing, 'блок питания' is the exact equivalent for the internal component.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect article: 'I need power supply' (needs 'a/the').
- Confusion with 'power cord' (the cable) vs. 'power supply' (the unit that converts power).
- Misspelling as one word: 'powersupply'. It is typically two words or hyphenated as a modifier ('power-supply cable').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'UPS' stand for in IT contexts?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words ('power supply'). It is hyphenated when used as a modifier before a noun ('power-supply cable').
A power supply typically converts AC mains electricity to DC and provides a continuous flow of power. A battery stores chemical energy and provides DC power for a limited time without being plugged in.
Yes, in a broader sense. For example, 'The national power supply was upgraded.' However, terms like 'grid', 'electricity network', or 'energy supply' might be more precise.
The Power Supply Unit (PSU) converts the high-voltage alternating current (AC) from a wall outlet into lower-voltage direct current (DC) required by the computer's internal components (motherboard, CPU, drives).