horsepower

noun

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

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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.
The future of the American Dream may not be measured by the size of one’s home or the horsepower of one’s car. — Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 One of the most impressive aspects of the MacBook Pro is that, despite leveraging all this horsepower, the gas tank is huge. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 Quantum computing uses the principles of abstract physics to supercharge a machine's computational horsepower well beyond what's found in an everyday computer. — Emily Chang, ABC News, 22 June 2026 In a category where excess is often measured in horsepower alone, the 21C V Max takes its ambition directly to the manufacturing floor. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 21 June 2026 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

Phrases Containing horsepower

Rhymes for horsepower

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Browse Nearby Words

horse post
horsepower
horsepower-hour
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Cite this Entry

“Horsepower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horsepower. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of horsepower for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about horsepower

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