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 of horsepower

• 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

But the company used the same show to highlight its new take on the Mustang muscle car — a version called the Dark Horse SC with horsepower exceeding 500 and a price expected to top $90,000. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026

The 50 mile range and 324 horsepower is a game changer. —Scotty Reiss, Parents, 24 Feb. 2026

Even models like the LiveWire One and the S2 Del Mar, with their premium components, impressive 80+ horsepower output, and a 3-second 0-60 mph time, have sold poorly, partly due to weak demand for premium e-motos and partly due to LiveWire’s poor service and dealer network. —New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2026

This year’s unit has the horsepower to repeat, though the challenge looks stronger. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Feb. 2026

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