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

• 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

Under the hood is a 3.0-liter inline-six engine mated to an automatic gearbox making 395 brake horsepower. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 20 June 2025

Whereas stocks and bonds are thought of as the financial horsepower for retirement, a home can foster and drive the lifestyle. —Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

It’s offered with a gasoline 3.5L V6 Twin Turbo engine with a 48V electric supercharger and 409 horsepower. —James Raia, Mercury News, 9 June 2025

Packing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, the XC90 had plenty of get up and go. —Marc D Grasso, Hartford Courant, 7 June 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