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

The top variant features a tri-motor all-wheel-drive system capable of producing up to 955 horsepower, placing it among the more powerful electric vehicles currently available. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026

The Launch Package version of the 2027 R2 Performance model starts at about $58,000 and features a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 656 horsepower. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Its standard hybrid powertrain delivers 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. —ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

Power of the motor Power is measured in horsepower, amps, watts and rotations per minute. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 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