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

Tack on a specialized sport-exhaust system to up the ante by another 10 horsepower for $4,500. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 May 2026

Slotted between the base model Standard (set for 2027) and the top-tier performance trim, the Premium produces 450 horsepower. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 29 May 2026

In the lead-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, this same horsepower captivated the Minnesota Vikings, who plotted when and where to select him. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Powering our 2026 Tundra TRD-Pro tester was an i-FORCE MAX Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid, which offered 423 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque combined. —Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald, 28 May 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