kilowatt-hour

noun

kilo·​watt-hour ˈki-lə-ˌwät-ˈau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce kilowatt-hour (audio)
ˈkē-lə-
: a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour or to 3.6 million joules

Examples of kilowatt-hour in a Sentence

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.
Multiply your home's cost per kilowatt-hour for electricity by 10. — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 May 2026 At over 19 cents per kilowatt-hour, the current price of electricity is the highest on record — going back almost 50 years. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026 Every kilogram of mass to orbit, every kilowatt-hour of power, every hour of crew time is meticulously valued and accounted for. — Tejpaul Bhatia, Fortune, 20 May 2026 Every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed by AI data centers should be matched by new, clean energy added to the same grid at the same time. — Patricia J. Kissinger, STAT, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for kilowatt-hour

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kilowatt-hour was in 1892

Rhymes for kilowatt-hour

See All Rhymes for kilowatt-hour

Browse Nearby Words

kilowatt
kilowatt-hour
kilp
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kilowatt-hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilowatt-hour. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kilowatt-hour

noun
: a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour and equal to 3.6 million joules

Medical Definition

kilowatt-hour

noun
: a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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