powerhouse

noun

pow·​er·​house ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ˌhau̇s 

1

a

: power plant sense 1

b

: a source of influence or inspiration

2

: one having great power: such as

a

: one having great drive, energy, or ability

a powerhouse rock band

b

: an athletic team characterized by strong aggressive play

Synonyms of powerhouse

• achiever
• hustler
• highflier
• enterpriser
• self-starter
• go-getter
• go-ahead
• live wire

Examples of powerhouse in a Sentence

The country is an economic powerhouse.

Their company became a powerhouse in the video game industry.

She's a powerhouse on the tennis court.

This year's team is a powerhouse that's winning its games easily.

Seaweed is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals.

He is a powerhouse of ideas.

Recent Examples on the Web

Italy and other agricultural powerhouses only came around after the EU offered farmers generous subsidies to the tune of $52 billion. —Isabel Debre, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026

The main ingredient — chickpeas — is a nutritional powerhouse that provides protein along with both soluble and insoluble fibers, making a serving (or two) excellent for gut health. —Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026

These changes affected the core functions of muscle cells, hampering the genes in mitochondria—the powerhouses of the cell, which generate the energy required to contract and relax muscle fibers. —Bonnie Tsui, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026

South Africa is a regional powerhouse on the African continent; the United States remains a global superpower. —Lindsey Granger, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for powerhouse

• boardinghouse
• charterhouse
• clearinghouse
• coffeehouse
• customhouse
• firehouse
• meetinghouse
• motherhouse
• packinghouse
• pilothouse
• slaughterhouse
• summerhouse

Kids Definition

powerhouse

noun

pow·​er·​house ˈpau̇(-ə)r-ˌhau̇s 

1

: power plant

2

: a person or thing having unusual strength or energy