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

• energy
• firepower
• force
• might
• muscle
• potence
• potency
• power
• puissance
• sinew
• strength
• vigor

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

Lamborghini’s first all-electric car could have 2,000 horsepower and is expected in 2030. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2025

That tells us something about the raw horsepower, but let’s check with the real-world gaming tests before drawing concrete conclusions. —PC Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

Human speech arises courtesy of some significant neural horsepower. —Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025

At 485 horsepower, the Scat Packs are just about there, but lack some of the low-end torque and certainly less drama from supercharger whine. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 15 Mar. 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