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

Its electric component adds a further 180 horsepower. —Giulio Piovaccari, USA Today, 1 May 2025

That’s 79 horsepower more than the next most potent Panamera, the Turbo E-Hybrid. —Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

These cars, with their skinny tires up front, skeletal body and explosive engine, generate up to 11,000 to 12,000 horsepower and reach speeds in the mid-300 mphs in just 1,000 feet and require parachutes to safely arrive at a stop. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025

The Defender 90 is equipped with a two-liter, turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that produces 296 horsepower. —James Raia, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 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