Meaning & use
global powerhouse
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Meanings
nouncountable
a country, company, or group with great influence or success around the world
Grammar: Countable; use 'a' or 'the' before it, and it can be plural: 'global powerhouses'.
Patterns
- a global powerhouse in something
- become a global powerhouse
- one of the world's global powerhouses
The small country has become a global powerhouse in technology.
Analysts say the company is now a global powerhouse in electric cars.
The university is a global powerhouse in medical research.
nouncountablefigurative
a person or organization that is extremely powerful or successful internationally
Grammar: Often used in business or sports contexts for a dominant individual or team.
Patterns
- a global powerhouse in sport
- emerge as a global powerhouse
She is a global powerhouse in the fashion industry.
The team has become a global powerhouse after winning three world titles.
Word forms
| plural | global powerhouses |
|---|
Common combinations
- economic powerhouse
- Germany is often described as an economic powerhouse in Europe.
- become a global powerhouse
- The firm became a global powerhouse within a decade.
- a global powerhouse in
- The region is a global powerhouse in renewable energy.
- major global powerhouse
- It is now a major global powerhouse in online retail.
Synonyms and how they differ
- world leader
- More general and often used for individuals or companies; 'global powerhouse' suggests stronger dominance and scale.
- giant
- Informal and often used for big companies; 'global powerhouse' is more formal and emphasizes worldwide influence.
- superpower
- Usually refers to a country with military and political strength; 'global powerhouse' can also refer to companies or teams.
Word family
- powerhouse noun
- a person, team, or organization with great energy or strength
Commonly confused: global powerhouse or power plant?
global powerhouse vs power plant
A 'power plant' is a building where electricity is produced, not a powerful country or company.
Practice
The country has become a global powerhouse ___ artificial intelligence.
Choose one answer.
We say 'a powerhouse in a field' when talking about an area of activity. 'On' and 'at' do not fit this pattern, and 'for' would suggest purpose rather than field.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “global powerhouse”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.