horsepower

noun

horse·​pow·​er ˈhȯrs-ˌpau̇(-ə)r 

1

: the power that a horse exerts in pulling

2

: a unit of power equal in the U.S. to 746 watts and nearly equivalent to the English gravitational unit of the same name that equals 550 foot-pounds of work per second

3

: effective power

intellectual horsepower

computing horsepower

Synonyms

• energy
• firepower
• force
• might
• muscle
• potence
• potency
• power
• puissance
• sinew
• strength
• vigor

Examples of horsepower in a Sentence

an engine with 200 horsepower

that architectural firm probably doesn't have the creative horsepower to produce a truly innovative design

Recent Examples on the Web

Much of Peter Finch's raging wildfire of a performance is delivered in extended monologues, but the nuanced Australian actor portrays the man's brokenness even during his horsepower speeches. —EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025

By way of comparison, the most potent version of Porsche’s electric Taycan, the Turbo GT, is a similarly-sized sedan that produces 1,019 horsepower, sprints to 60 mph in 2.1 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph, yet costs from $230,000. —Alistair Charlton, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Other plus points are more horsepower than anyone reasonably needs and reasonably quick fast charging. —Chad Kirchner, Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025

With reduced horsepower, races now often involve cars bunched together, leading to more frequent and substantial pileups. —Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing horsepower

• shaft horsepower

Rhymes for horsepower

• candlepower
• cauliflower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

horsepower

noun

horse·​pow·​er ˈhȯr-ˌspau̇(-ə)r 

: a unit of power equal in the U.S. to 746 watts and nearly equal to the English unit of the same name that equals 550 foot-pounds of work per second