plural foot-pounds
: a unit of work equal to the work done by a force of one pound acting through a distance of one foot in the direction of the force

Examples of foot-pound 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.
The Recon’s electric motors combine to produce 650 horsepower and 620 foot-pounds of torque — similar to some V-6 and V-8 sports cars. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 19 Nov. 2025 The rifle weighs up to 120 pounds with massive muzzle brakes, producing more than 200 foot-pounds of recoil. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025 If the hybrid’s 191 horsepower and 155 foot-pounds of torque aren’t enough, the 238-hp, 275-foot-pound EcoBoost non-hybrid turbo four-cylinder is still available on all models. Bob Sorokanich, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2024 The kinetic energy of it is significant: A rifle like the AR-15 can produce up to 1,300 foot-pounds of force. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, 18 July 2024 This dizzyingly complex electric duo, mediated through a planetary gear set, cranks out up to 27 kW (36 hp) and 73 newton meters (54 foot-pounds) of torque to either wheel, divvying it up as needed. IEEE Spectrum, 26 Sep. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foot-pound was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Foot-pound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foot-pound. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

foot-pound

noun
-ˈpau̇nd
plural foot-pounds
: a unit of work that equals the work done by a force of one pound acting through a distance of one foot and that is equal to about 1.36 joules

Medical Definition

foot-pound

noun
plural foot-pounds
: a unit of work equal to the work done by a force of one pound acting through a distance of one foot in the direction of the force
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