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

An initial tank would use a 1,500-horsepower diesel generator. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Subaru's model produces more horsepower than the Corolla Cross Hybrid and Kia Niro. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

The higher the wattage and the horsepower, the more powerful the blender. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2026

The PlayStation 5 Pro has increased horsepower, enabling it to play games at higher resolutions and with better frame rates. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 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