reserved power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Formal, Academic, Legal, Political
Quick answer
What does “reserved power” mean?
An authority, right, or jurisdiction that is specifically withheld or kept back from a delegated body, typically held by a higher or original authority (such as a central government, constitution, or sovereign). It refers to powers not granted to a subordinate entity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An authority, right, or jurisdiction that is specifically withheld or kept back from a delegated body, typically held by a higher or original authority (such as a central government, constitution, or sovereign). It refers to powers not granted to a subordinate entity.
A political or legal principle where certain powers are intentionally retained by a governing body and not delegated to other branches or levels of government. In constitutional law, it often refers to powers not explicitly granted to a federal government, which are therefore retained by the states or the people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK contexts, often relates to royal prerogative, powers reserved to the Crown/Parliament, or devolution settlements (e.g., powers reserved to the UK Parliament vs. devolved to Scotland). In US contexts, central to the 10th Amendment, concerning powers reserved to the states or the people.
Connotations
UK: Constitutional sovereignty, unitary state principles. US: States' rights, federalism, limits of central government.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US political/legal discourse due to the explicit 10th Amendment. Common in UK discourse post-devolution.
Grammar
How to Use “reserved power” in a Sentence
[Entity] holds/reserves/retains the reserved power to [verb]The reserved power of [Entity] over [Domain][Power] is a reserved power of [Entity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reserved power” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Foreign affairs is a reserved power of the UK Parliament.
- The reserved powers of the Crown are exercised on ministerial advice.
American English
- The Tenth Amendment protects the reserved powers of the states.
- Education policy is a classic example of a state reserved power.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In corporate bylaws, the board may have reserved powers not granted to the CEO.
Academic
The study analyzed how reserved powers in federal systems impact regional autonomy.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used in discussions about politics: 'Taxation is a reserved power for the federal government.'
Technical
Under the Scotland Act 1998, reservations are matters outside the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reserved power”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reserved power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reserved power”
- Using 'reserve power' (meaning backup energy) instead of 'reserved power'.
- Using it as a verb phrase: 'The government reserved power' is not the same as the noun compound 'reserved power'.
- Confusing with 'residual power' (which remains after others are assigned; similar but not identical).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Reserved power' is positively retained by a higher authority. 'Residual power' often refers to what remains after specific powers are allocated. In some systems (like Canada), 'residual power' falls to the federal government, whereas 'reserved powers' (like in the US) are held by the states.
Typically no, it's a constitutional/governmental concept. However, in a metaphorical or corporate governance sense, a founder might have reserved powers in a company's charter.
A delegated, devolved, or enumerated power—one that has been specifically granted to a subordinate body.
It defines the limits of authority in layered systems (federal/unitary), protecting the autonomy or sovereignty of the reserving entity and preventing overreach by delegated bodies.
An authority, right, or jurisdiction that is specifically withheld or kept back from a delegated body, typically held by a higher or original authority (such as a central government, constitution, or sovereign). It refers to powers not granted to a subordinate entity.
Reserved power is usually formal, academic, legal, political in register.
Reserved power: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɜːvd ˈpaʊə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɜːrvd ˈpaʊər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The reservoir of sovereignty”
- “To hold the final card”
- “A power in the back pocket”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RESERVE team in sports—they are kept back, not on the main field. A RESERVED POWER is kept back by the main authority, not given to others.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER AS A COMMODITY IN STORAGE (kept in reserve), POWER AS PROPERTY RETAINED (not sold or given away).
Practice
Quiz
In a UK context, 'reserved power' most commonly refers to: