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 From January 2020 to January 2024, average electricity prices per kilowatt-hour have gone up 30.5 percent nationwide. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2024 In November, the average U.S. homeowner paid $162 for the typical 1,000 kilowatt-hours of use, up from $156 a year earlier, according to the Energy Information Administration. Ivan Penn, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2024 The Sierra Club proposal reduces the average per kilowatt-hour rate for SDG&E customers by 15 percent. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024 Residential rates are 24 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared with an average of 16 cents in the U.S. mainland. Dánica Coto, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2024 Based on the company’s estimates for the new rates, customers can expect the following increases on their household bills: Low usage: An additional $3 for 33 therms of gas and an additional $13 for 250 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2024 Solar industry advocates have estimated that under the new rules, the average compensation rate would drop from 30 cents per kilowatt-hour to 8 cents — a reduction of 75 percent. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2024 Range is 20 miles from the 8 kilowatt-hour battery, which can max charge from 20 to 100 percent in 75 minutes. Jeremy White, WIRED, 9 Jan. 2024 The California Solar & Storage Association, which opposed the commission’s 5-0 decision, estimated the average compensation rate would drop from 30 cents per kilowatt-hour to 8 cents, a reduction of 75 percent. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kilowatt-hour.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near kilowatt-hour

Cite this Entry

“Kilowatt-hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilowatt-hour. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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