wattage

noun watt·age \ ˈwä-tij \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: wattage in a Sentence

Definition of wattage

1 : amount of power expressed in watts

2 : dynamic or mental energy or appeal

the celebrity's high wattage

See wattage defined for English-language learners

See wattage defined for kids

Examples of wattage in a Sentence

Use a bulb with low wattage.

Recent Examples of wattage from the Web

This year’s festival is a little short on the mega-wattage star power at the top of the bill.

— dan deluca, Philly.com, "Made in America lineup headlined by Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj and Post Malone," 4 June 2018
Their packaging is all about the numbers: wattage, lumens, Kelvin, lifetime hours of operation, annual energy costs.

— adam snitzer, miamiherald, "His purchase of lightbulbs was sealed with a K.I.S.S. | Miami Herald," 11 May 2018
Jason Tanko told council that LED would provide better light, making for safer streets, and that the wattage of the energy-efficient lights would be reduced from what First Energy now uses, saving the city's taxpayers money.

— jeff piorkowski/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "South Euclid council considers switch to LED street lighting; move could save taxpayers money," 3 May 2018
And by the time Rick accepted his award, his wattage was undeniable.

— dan adler, Vanities, "Slick Rick in the Hall of Fame," 24 May 2018
Try to maintain your wattage or split time throughout, which will be most challenging on the back end of the pyramid.

— jay willis, GQ, "The Rowing Machine Is the Gym's Most Underrated Piece of Equipment," 27 Mar. 2018
The clash revealed Chiang's canny ability to grab headlines while in a decidedly low-wattage post.

— melanie mason, latimes.com, "In his bid to be California's next governor, John Chiang touts his battles with a previous one," 7 May 2018
The report pointed the finger at Lack for misjudging the wattage of star power in today’s day and age -- a mistake many observers say is a generational one.

— brian flood, Fox News, "NBC News boss Andy Lack slammed for keeping sex misconduct review in-house as watchdogs await results," 1 May 2018
The lampshade silhouette, which has also been worn by Sienna Miller (in Gucci) and Ruth Negga (in Valentino), was given extra wattage thanks to Johnson’s Gianvito Rossi silver strappy sandals.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Dakota Johnson Lights Up the Red Carpet in Spring’s It Color," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wattage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of wattage

1903

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

WATTAGE Defined for English Language Learners

wattage

noun

Definition of wattage for English Language Learners

: the amount of electrical power measured in watts that something (such as a light bulb) uses

Medical Dictionary

wattage

noun watt·age \ ˈwät-ij \

medical Definition of wattage

: amount of power expressed in watts

Learn More about wattage

See words that rhyme with wattage Spanish Central: Translation of wattage Nglish: Translation of wattage for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up wattage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

wattage

Definition of wattage

Examples of wattage in a Sentence

Recent Examples of wattage from the Web

First Known Use of wattage

WATTAGE Defined for English Language Learners

wattage

Definition of wattage for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

wattage

medical Definition of wattage

Learn More about wattage

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

effigy

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

What It Means to Go ‘Radio Silent’

The Last Word on 'Finalize'

'Creep': A Skin-Crawling History

Centuries and How to Refer to Them

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Name More Food!

Name That Thing

Word Winder's CrossWinder

What It Means to Go ‘Radio Silent’

Words for Summer: A Quiz

If the Shoe Fits

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Ghost Word

wattage

Definition of wattage

Examples of wattage in a Sentence

Recent Examples of wattage from the Web

First Known Use of wattage

WATTAGE Defined for English Language Learners

wattage

Definition of wattage for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

wattage

medical Definition of wattage

Learn More about wattage

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

What It Means to Go ‘Radio Silent’

Words for Summer: A Quiz

If the Shoe Fits

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Ghost Word