Wiktionary
n. A state that has the ability to exert its influence on a global scale.
WordNet
n. a state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world [syn: world power, major power, power, superpower]
Wikipedia
thumb|upright 1.6||Great powers are recognized in an international structure such as the United Nations Security Council. Shown here is the Security Council Chamber. A great power is a sovereign state that is recognized as having the ability and expertise to exert its influence on a global scale. Great powers characteristically possess military and economic strength, as well as diplomatic and soft power influence, which may cause middle or small powers to consider the great powers' opinions before taking actions of their own. International relations theorists have posited that great power status can be characterized into power capabilities, spatial aspects, and status dimensions.
While some nations are widely considered to be great powers, there is no definitive list of them. Sometimes the status of great powers is formally recognized in conferences such as the Congress of Vienna or the United Nations Security Council ( China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States serve as the body's five permanent members). Accordingly, the status of great powers has also been formally and informally recognised in forums such as the G7 and the now defunct G8.
The term "great power" was first used to represent the most important powers in Europe during the post- Napoleonic era. The "Great Powers" constituted the " Concert of Europe" and claimed the right to joint enforcement of the postwar treaties. The formalization of the division between small powers and great powers came about with the signing of the Treaty of Chaumont in 1814. Since then, the international balance of power has shifted numerous times, most dramatically during World War I and World War II. In literature, alternative terms for great power are often world power or major power, but these terms can also be interchangeable with superpower.
Usage examples of "great power".
Thus, finally, three representatives of the three great power’.
Darkfriends: Those who follow the Dark One and believe they will gain great power and rewards, and even immortality, when he is freed from his prison.
Those who follow the Dark One and believe they will gain great power and rewards, and even immortality, when he is freed from his prison.
But it will take a great power of prayer to clear your mind so that the voice of God can reach you.
And she puts the bone down on the ground and covers it with her blanket and sings a revivifying song, a magical song with great power.
I burned the flesh from it and kept it as a talisman, an object of great power.
Bear is an animal of great power who holds healing in his paws, but more people worship him when he holds a football.