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

Buzz has 335 horsepower, a 91-kWh battery and is electronically limited to a top speed of 99 miles per hour. —James Raia, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025

Even in the standard setting, the IQ delivers 680 horsepower, just shy of the highest-performance ICE model’s best number. —Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

One can also order a LWB Cabrio with a V-8 that makes 430 horsepower. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025

PHEVs will be the most powerful RAV4, with 324 horsepower. —Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 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