I keep hearing 'women hold all the power' to get the relationship started. Is this what you think? Do men or women 'hold the power'? What does power actually mean?

when a man approaches a woman, he has no idea if the woman he likes will accept him or reject him. she on the other hand knows exactly how far they will go

when a woman approaches a man, she knows exactly what kind of relationship the man she likes is in for. he on the other hand has no idea of the trouble he is about to get into

It's a very interesting question.
Have wondered about it often.

Methinks women have the power
to have the power, but those who
don't want a castrated mate
never exert it.

Historically, they are probably
even..at the start.
He withholds the ring.
She withholds the sex.

Once you are equal though, well,
it's just the best :-)

depends what kind of relationship

for intimate encounters I'd say women feel more empowered simply because of the numbers - i think there are way more men openly looking for intimate encounters than women

for sincere relationships it's 50-50

When it comes to "getting the relationship started", BOTH do.....It's called flirting and some are better at it than others....

From Wiki...

Flirting or coquetry is a sexual activity involving verbal or written communication as well as body language by one person to another, suggesting an interest in a deeper relationship with the other person.

I've done both types of relationships.
I had the power when;
I openly ran around and even brought girlfriends to the house to meet the wife.
She couldn't cut me off cuz, she never knew where I was getting it from.

In another on, she had the power when;
I abandoned my youngest daughter just because she told me to.

The power-play "free" relationship is with the wife with the cancer.
We both get uppity but, after the hot air escapes the balloon, we are back on a level field.

Can anyone give me a definition of power?

In a love relationship?

Sexual prowess...

Both, it takes two to make a couple.

I have the Power

That answer made me quiver and shake all over.

Can anyone give me a dictionary version of power?

pow·er/ˈpouər/
Noun:
The ability to do something or act in a particular way, esp. as a faculty or quality.
Verb:
Supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy.
Synonyms:
noun. might - force - strength - potency - authority - energy
verb. actuate - operate

Thank you totage. It doesn't mention flirting, teasing, coquetry, though it has it's place. It looks more like a force or directive,

Well, in a relationship both parties hold power, because both have the ability to act in a particular way. Relationships only work if both people do their part to maintain the relationship.

He-Man has the power. I grew up hearing that.

And in my own personal opinion, when you start questioning who has "the power" in a relationship, or if trying to figure out who does becomes an issue... the relationship is usually running its course.

I agree. The topic is more about the 'initiation' of the relationship. I am thinking if a man thinks a woman ought to initiate it and the woman thinks the man ought to initiate it, because their thoughts are not aligned, what happens? Nothing?

Nothing happens if neither is willing to initiate it.