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

The dual-motor P10 AWD delivers 503 horsepower with a 91 kWh battery and up to 447 miles (720 kilometers) of range. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2026

This particular version has more horsepower, more refinement, more engineering upgrades -- even a heated front seat belt. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2026

If the owner’s manual says regular is fine, premium won’t give you extra horsepower, extra mileage or extra engine life. —Chris Hardesty, AJC.com, 16 Jan. 2026

But stepping down a size in horsepower and displacement is definitely worth consumers’ attention, too, especially considering the cut in price and increase in overall fuel economy. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 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