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

Performance: The Highland Model 3 Performance has more horsepower (up to 510 hp) and does 0–60 mph in 2.9 seconds. —Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

The Senta comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that creates 149 horsepower (hp) and 145 pound-feet of torque. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

It’s rated at 225 horsepower (168 kW), but the lord only knows how hard those horses come on in a 2.7-liter 2-stroke format. —New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2024

Its Powershift cordless equipment system swaps out gas-guzzling tools for ones powered by a 554-watts-per-hour battery, equal to 6.5 horsepower. —Chris Stokel-Walker, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing horsepower

• shaft horsepower

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