power base: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal, political, business, academic
Quick answer
What does “power base” mean?
The foundation of support and influence that enables a person or group to exert authority, make decisions, and achieve goals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The foundation of support and influence that enables a person or group to exert authority, make decisions, and achieve goals.
Can refer to the geographic, demographic, financial, or organizational sources of a leader's support, as well as the institutional structures that sustain their authority. In organizational contexts, it also describes the resources, alliances, and dependencies that grant an individual or department influence within a larger system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. 'Power base' is slightly more common in American political commentary. In UK contexts, one might also encounter 'power-base' with a hyphen, though the open form is standard.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of realpolitik and practical influence. In US discourse, it often specifically references electoral constituencies. In UK discourse, it may more frequently refer to support within a party or institution.
Frequency
Medium frequency in political/business analysis; low frequency in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “power base” in a Sentence
NP have/possess a power base in NP (The CEO has a power base in the finance department.)NP build/establish a power base among NP (She built a power base among the younger MPs.)NP's power base rests on/derives from NP (His power base rests on old party loyalists.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “power base” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- power-base politics
American English
- power-base calculations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the key departments, investors, or clients that give a manager or executive their influence within a company.
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, and organizational theory to analyze how authority is constructed and maintained.
Everyday
Rare in casual talk. Might be used when discussing workplace politics or local governance.
Technical
In political analysis, can refer to quantifiable metrics like voter demographics, donor networks, or faction membership.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “power base”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “power base”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “power base”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He power-based his campaign...' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'database' or 'knowledge base' in compound nouns.
- Using it in overly positive contexts (e.g., 'Her kindness is her power base' is semantically odd).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a descriptive, neutral term in analysis. However, it often appears in contexts of rivalry or realpolitik, which can impart a cynical tone.
Yes, but primarily as the geographic location where someone's core support is concentrated (e.g., 'His power base is in the industrial Midwest'). It is not used for a military installation.
'Constituency' specifically refers to a body of voters or supporters. 'Power base' is broader, encompassing not just people but also institutional roles, financial resources, and networks that provide influence.
'Authority' is the legitimate right to exercise power. A 'power base' is the underlying support system that makes exercising that authority effective or possible. One can have formal authority but a weak power base.
The foundation of support and influence that enables a person or group to exert authority, make decisions, and achieve goals.
Power base is usually formal, political, business, academic in register.
Power base: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊə ˌbeɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊər ˌbeɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BASEball player. His POWER to stay on the team depends on his fan BASE (support). POWER BASE = the support BASE that gives you POWER.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER/INFLUENCE IS A STRUCTURE (requiring a foundation/base). POLITICS IS WAR (a power base is a territory or fortress to be held).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'power base' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?