What is the difference between an amplifier and a power amplifier?

An amplifier in the context of amateur radio is a device that increases the strength of an incoming signal to achieve better quality transmission. It is usually used near the receiver to improve weak signals. A power amplifier, on the other hand, is a special type of amplifier used to increase the power of a broadcast signal just before it is broadcast by the antenna. While a general amplifier can be used in both the receive path and the transmit path, a power amplifier is specifically designed for transmit to maximize the range of radio transmission.