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

• power
• energy
• strength
• muscle

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

The Bianco Speciale 250 GTO was powered by a V-12 that made around 300 horsepower. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025

The numbers came in with 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. —Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 2 Aug. 2025

The cards are a requirement for boaters born after January 1988 who are operating a vessel with 10 or more horsepower. —Teghan Simonton, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 July 2025

Hennessey Performance gave the car a total rework under the hood, raising the horsepower from 717 all the way to 1,100. —Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 24 July 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