horsepower

noun

horse·​pow·​er ˈhȯrs-ˌpau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce horsepower (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The throaty Hellcat engine produced 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque in the 2024 TRX model and was generally hailed as a monster machine. Kristin Shaw, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Its motor produces 8 kW (11 hp) continuously and can hit 15.8 kW in short bursts – around 21 horsepower overall. Utkarsh Sood june 29, New Atlas, 29 June 2025 Roma and his team were tasked with creating an ultra-luxe sedan that was technologically advanced and delivered the performance expected of a vehicle with a six-figure price tag (655 horsepower and 646 lb.-ft. Morgan Korn, ABC News, 29 June 2025 Powered by the ever-popular Honda i-VTEC engine, which produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, the 9-speed automatic transmission was quiet and had no issues getting up and going. Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for horsepower

Word History

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of horsepower was in 1806

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Cite this Entry

“Horsepower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horsepower. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

horsepower

noun
horse·​pow·​er ˈhȯr-ˌspau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce horsepower (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on horsepower

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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