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

With a new engine, the MkIV boasts up to 1,000 horsepower and the latest upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Nov. 2025

But thanks to some teamwork and some extra horsepower from other officers, the horse was safely secured and returned to its owner. —Matt Cavallo, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025

The outlet reported that his boat, a 14-foot skiff, was recovered five miles off the coast, but the six-horsepower outboard engine was not. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025

The engine is a 997cc, 90-degree V4, which produces over 210 horsepower. —New Atlas, 15 Nov. 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