world power
Medium (common in political/diplomatic/historical discourse, less so in everyday conversation)Formal to neutral; most common in academic, journalistic, and political contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A nation or state that has significant influence on global politics, economics, and military affairs, able to project its interests internationally.
Can refer to any entity (e.g., a multinational corporation) with substantial global influence in its field. Metaphorically, describes a dominant force in any competitive sphere.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a hierarchy among nations. It is more specific than 'powerful country' and implies a recognized, sustained global role. Can be dynamic (e.g., 'emerging world power').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Great power' is a more formal, historical synonym used similarly in both dialects. 'Superpower' is a stronger term used identically.
Connotations
Neutral-descriptive in both, though can carry connotations of imperial history or hegemony depending on context.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American media due to focus on geopolitics, but core concept is identical.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Country/Entity] is/acts as a world power[Country/Entity] emerged as/became a world powerthe world power(s) of [era/century]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Punch above one's weight (for a country aspiring to be a world power)”
- “A seat at the top table”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The company aims to become a world power in renewable energy technology.'
Academic
Used in political science, history, and international relations to categorise states and analyse systemic change.
Everyday
'China is often described as the next world power.' Less common in casual chat.
Technical
In IR theory, often part of a typology: small power, middle power, great power, world power, superpower.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The debate centred on whether post-Brexit Britain could remain a significant world power.
- Throughout the 19th century, the British Empire was the pre-eminent world power.
American English
- Many analysts see India's economic growth solidifying its role as a future world power.
- The Cold War was defined by the rivalry between two superpowers, not just world powers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The USA is a big world power.
- Many countries are not world powers.
- In history class, we learned about world powers like ancient Rome.
- To be a world power, a country needs a strong economy and military.
- The shifting balance of power suggests new world powers are emerging in Asia.
- A nation's soft power, like its cultural influence, is increasingly important for world power status.
- The historian's thesis posited that the concept of a 'world power' is inherently Eurocentric and predicated on a specific model of military and economic hegemony.
- The country's diplomatic outreach and development aid projects are calibrated to project its image as a responsible, modern world power.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a globe ('world') with a crown of lightning ('power') hovering over a specific country on the map.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WORLD STAGE IS A HIERARCHY (pecking order, top tier); INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IS A GAME OF POWER (players, pieces, moves).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from 'мировая держава' if context suggests a more specific term like 'superpower' (сверхдержава) or 'great power' (великая держава). Nuance differs.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'world power' for a country that is merely large or wealthy but lacks global strategic influence (e.g., 'Canada is a world power').
- Confusing 'world power' (general term) with 'superpower' (specifically post-WWII US/USSR, or currently only the US).
Practice
Quiz
Which term implies the STRONGEST level of global dominance?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Superpower' is a stronger, more exclusive category (e.g., USA post-1991). A 'world power' has major global influence, but a 'superpower' has overwhelming dominance in all key domains (military, economic, political, cultural). All superpowers are world powers, but not all world powers are superpowers.
Historically, military strength was essential. Today, while still crucial, some argue that economic power (e.g., Japan, Germany post-WWII) or 'soft power' can contribute significantly to world power status, though hard power (military) remains a core component for full-spectrum influence.
There is no fixed number; it's a spectrum. Analysts typically list the United States, China, and Russia as clear contenders, with the EU as a collective entity, and countries like the UK, France, India, and Japan often included. The list changes over time.
A regional power dominates or leads in its specific geographical area (e.g., Brazil in South Africa, Saudi Arabia in the Middle East). A world power has interests, influence, and the capability to project power in multiple regions across the globe.
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