AbstractCompared with non‐pulse‐like ground motions, pulse‐like ground motions are usually near‐fault motions with forward directivity or fling‐step effect. These pulse‐like ground motions are characterized by prominent velocity pulses. The impact force caused by such velocity pulses is generally more destructive than the inertia force induced by ground accelerations. The impact force infuses substantial energy into structures within a rather short period. The power responses of buildings are thus crucial for understanding the risk potential posed by pulse‐like ground motions. This study innovatively defines the power responses of a building as the product of story shear and inter‐story velocity. It investigates the power responses of a vertically irregular three‐story building subjected to two ensembles of pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like ground motion records. The results show that power demand is a competent measure that reflects the effect of pulse‐like ground motions on building structures.