What does firepower mean?
Firepower refers to the destructive capability of a weapon, unit, or armed force — the amount of gunfire, missiles, or ordnance it can deliver against a target. The term arose in the context of modern warfare, where advances in artillery and small arms made the volume of sustainable fire a decisive measure of military strength; phrases such as "overwhelming firepower" or "superior firepower" are staples of military writing. In extended use, firepower has become a vivid metaphor for any deployable reserve of strength: a company may have the firepower to fund an acquisition, a government the firepower to push legislation through, or a negotiator the firepower of public opinion. Because it is a mass noun, it is rarely pluralized. Its connotations lean toward force and scale rather than subtlety, which makes it a striking choice whenever raw, concentrated power is what matters.
The capacity of a weapon, unit, or armed force to deliver destructive fire.
"The garrison could not withstand the rebels' superior firepower."
Usually treated as an uncountable mass noun.
Figuratively, the resources or influence available to be deployed in pursuit of a goal.
"The firm's financial firepower allowed it to acquire three competitors in a single year."
Almost never used in the plural; firepower functions as an uncountable mass noun in both literal and figurative senses.
"Rarely seen; standard usage keeps the word singular, e.g. "the combined firepower of the fleet"."
The word only entered English in the late 19th century, born on the battlefield — but today generals and politicians alike get described as having it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of firepower
Firepower is a compound of the native English words "fire" (from Old English fȳr) and "power" (from Old French povoir, ultimately Latin potere). It emerged in English in the late nineteenth century as military technology made sustained gunnery a central factor in warfare. Its transparent formation from familiar roots gave rise to related compounds such as firearm and fireproof, though those share only the element "fire" rather than deriving from firepower itself.
How firepower is actually used
Primarily a military term, often used uncountably as a mass noun ("a display of firepower", not "firepowers"). The figurative business and political senses are well established in journalism but remain informal-adjacent rather than formal register.
Easily confused with firepower
"Firepower" is the standard single-word form for the noun; "fire power" as two words is an older spelling and is not a distinct term.