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
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
Creason was an avid car enthusiast drawn to anything with an engine or ample horsepower, according to his obituary.
—
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The iconic 1968 Camaro SS convertible, equipped with a 502-cubic-inch GM performance crate motor and approximately 502 horsepower, became a legitimate costar, with its own trailer in which it’s ferried to filming locations across the country.
—Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
But despite predictions of chaos from a 12% increase of horsepower and a 25% reduction in downforce (which helps maintain traction through the turns at high speed), drivers mostly kept their cars from careening out of control.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
When cruising along and suddenly pressing the accelerator to pass slower traffic, the response felt more subdued than expected from a 400-plus-horsepower luxury vehicle.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horsepower
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Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The iconic 1968 Camaro SS convertible, equipped with a 502-cubic-inch GM performance crate motor and approximately 502 horsepower, became a legitimate costar, with its own trailer in which it’s ferried to filming locations across the country.
—Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
But despite predictions of chaos from a 12% increase of horsepower and a 25% reduction in downforce (which helps maintain traction through the turns at high speed), drivers mostly kept their cars from careening out of control.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
When cruising along and suddenly pressing the accelerator to pass slower traffic, the response felt more subdued than expected from a 400-plus-horsepower luxury vehicle.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for horsepower
Cite this Entry
“Horsepower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/horsepower. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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