great power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal/Academic/Political
Quick answer
What does “great power” mean?
A sovereign nation state recognized as having significant influence and ability to act on a global scale in international relations, typically measured by its economic, military, political, and diplomatic strength.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sovereign nation state recognized as having significant influence and ability to act on a global scale in international relations, typically measured by its economic, military, political, and diplomatic strength.
The term can be used metaphorically to describe any organization, entity, or individual with dominant influence within a specific field, system, or area of activity. It also refers to the legal concept of a major state with significant responsibilities and rights, such as a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core term is identical in both dialects. However, British political discourse may historically reference its own status as a great power more frequently in past tense. American usage is more likely to refer to contemporary geopolitical realities and include itself in the set.
Connotations
In British usage, the term can evoke historical legacy (e.g., the 19th-century European great powers). In American usage, it is a more active, present-tense descriptor of global actors in competition or cooperation.
Frequency
Similar frequency in formal political and academic discourse. Slightly more common in American media discussing foreign policy and global strategy.
Grammar
How to Use “great power” in a Sentence
[Country X] has emerged as a great power.The rivalry between the great powers intensified.Great power politics often dictate global events.She is an expert on great power diplomacy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great power” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The nation sought to great-power its way into the diplomatic negotiations. (informal/rare)
American English
- They are accused of trying to great-power the smaller states in the region. (informal/rare)
adjective
British English
- Great-power politics dominated the 19th century. (attributive noun used adjectivally)
American English
- The summit focused on great-power competition in the Arctic. (attributive noun used adjectivally)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically to describe a dominant corporation in an industry: 'The merger created a great power in the pharmaceutical sector.'
Academic
Primary context. Used in political science, international relations, and history to analyse state behaviour, alliances, conflicts, and global governance structures.
Everyday
Rare. Might appear in news commentary or documentaries about geopolitics.
Technical
Specific use in international law and formal diplomatic discourse to denote states with particular rights and duties.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great power”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great power”
- Using 'great power' to describe a very strong individual or a large amount of electricity. (Semantic error)
- Confusing 'great power' with 'superpower'. All superpowers are great powers, but not all great powers are superpowers.
- Treating it as an adjective phrase (e.g., 'a great-power country' is awkward; use 'a great power' as a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'superpower' (e.g., USA post-1991) is the highest tier, possessing unmatched global influence across all dimensions. A 'great power' (e.g., UK, France, China) is a tier below, with major regional or significant global influence, but not the overwhelming dominance of a superpower.
It is historically very rare. Military strength is a traditional cornerstone of great power status. However, in the modern era, some argue that economic, technological, and diplomatic influence can compensate to a degree, but credible defensive capability is still considered essential.
Not precisely, but it has legal implications. For example, the permanent five members of the UN Security Council (P5) are de facto recognized as great powers, granting them the veto right—a legal privilege derived from their political status.
There is no official list and consensus varies among scholars. Commonly cited contemporary great powers include the United States (also a superpower), China, Russia, and often France, the United Kingdom, and increasingly India. Some analyses also include Germany and Japan due to their economic strength.
A sovereign nation state recognized as having significant influence and ability to act on a global scale in international relations, typically measured by its economic, military, political, and diplomatic strength.
Great power: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈpaʊə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈpaʊər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A great power in the making”
- “To play the great power game”
- “The great power club”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'great' (large, significant) 'power' (ability to exert force/influence). A great power is a country with a large and significant ability to influence world events.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD IS A STAGE/CHESSBOARD; great powers are the principal actors/players. STATES ARE PERSONS; a great power is a powerful, influential individual in a social hierarchy.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate definition of 'great power' in international relations?