Power Bank Definition: Portable Charger Examples

Meaning 1：portable battery charger (Power Bank)

Power Bank 🔊

/ˈpaʊər bæŋk/

A portable battery you can use to charge your phone or other small electronic devices when you're not near a plug.

Person using power bank to charge phone at airport

portable battery charger 🔊

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/ˈpɔːrtəbəl ˈbætəri ˈtʃɑːrdʒər/

A compact, rechargeable battery pack designed to charge mobile devices like phones, tablets, or headphones when an electrical outlet is unavailable.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound: 'power' (energy) + 'bank' (reserve). A device storing electrical power.

💡 Mnemonic

A 'bank' for electricity: store power like money, and withdraw to charge devices.

📖 Example

Before my long flight, I made sure my power bank was fully charged, so I could watch movies the whole time. 🔊 Before my long flight, I made sure my power bank was fully charged, so I could watch movies the whole time.

🔗 Collocations

charge a power bank – to replenish the battery of a portable charger

power bank capacity – the amount of energy a portable battery can store, measured in mAh

use a power bank – to employ a portable battery for charging electronic devices

🔄 Synonyms

portable charger (n.) – a rechargeable battery device used to charge mobile electronics on the go

battery pack (n.) – a set of batteries assembled into a single unit to provide power

external battery (n.) – a separate battery that connects to a device to extend its usage time

🚫 Antonyms

wall socket (n.) – a fixed electrical outlet providing continuous power from the grid

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'power bank' became popular in the early 2010s as portable chargers for smartphones exploded in demand. It combines 'power' (electricity) and 'bank' (reserve), evoking a 'bank of energy' analogy.