horsepower

noun

horse·​pow·​er ˈhȯrs-ˌpau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce horsepower (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If buyers initiate the velocity max feature, the vehicle can reach 750 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, Cadillac said. Jackie Charniga, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 Thanks to the blower and other updates, E55 2.0 whipped up a mighty 469 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025 Frankly, the massive improvements in battery tech, range (and looks) and another 80 horsepower make the xDrive40 look like a bargain. Michael Taylor, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Poetry carried by music enjoys a certain license — the fuzzy, the unwieldy, the cryptic, and the nakedly emotional can all be converted into pure horsepower. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for horsepower

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of horsepower was in 1806

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Cite this Entry

“Horsepower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horsepower. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

horsepower

noun
horse·​pow·​er ˈhȯr-ˌspau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce horsepower (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on horsepower

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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