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 hybrid model lowers horsepower to 245, but adds low-end torque via the electric motors. —New Atlas, 6 June 2026

The range increase didn’t require something like a decrease in power—in fact, the standard Solterra got a few extra horsepower, taking it to 233 hp (174 kW) from a pair of identical front and rear motors. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026

The no-thrills, no-frills Corolla SE delivered 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque and can achieve 40+ miles per gallon on the highway. —Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026

The 472-cubic-inch V-8 with 375 horsepower and 525 ft lbs of torque is mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 June 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