Legal Definitions - supreme power

Supreme power refers to the highest level of authority within a political system. It is the power that is absolute and uncontrolled within its own sphere, meaning that its exercise and effective operation do not depend on, and are not subject to, the power of any other person or entity recognized within the constitutional system.

For example, in the United States, the Constitution grants supreme power to the federal government, which has the authority to make and enforce laws that apply to the entire country. This power is not subject to the power of any state government or individual citizen.

On the other hand, subordinatepolitical power refers to power that is subject in some degree to external control because there exists some superior constitutional power that can prevent, restrict, direct, or annul its operation. An example of this would be the power of state governments within the United States, which are subject to the authority of the federal government.