foot-pound

noun

ˈfu̇t-ˈpau̇nd 

plural foot-pounds

: a unit of work equal to the work done by a force of one pound acting through a distance of one foot in the direction of the force

Examples of foot-pound in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hurricane that replaced it has 420 horsepower and 469 foot-pounds of torque, while a high-output version of the Hurricane engine is rated at 540 horsepower and 521 foot-pounds of torque. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 5 June 2025

If the hybrid’s 191 horsepower and 155 foot-pounds of torque aren’t enough, the 238-hp, 275-foot-pound EcoBoost non-hybrid turbo four-cylinder is still available on all models. —Bob Sorokanich, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2024

The kinetic energy of it is significant: A rifle like the AR-15 can produce up to 1,300 foot-pounds of force. —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, 18 July 2024

The bow generates 222 foot-pounds of kinetic energy and true 100-yard-plus accuracy. —Tony Hansen, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foot-pound

• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• background
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground

Kids Definition

foot-pound

noun

-ˈpau̇nd

plural foot-pounds

: a unit of work that equals the work done by a force of one pound acting through a distance of one foot and that is equal to about 1.36 joules

Medical Definition

foot-pound

noun

-ˈpau̇nd 

plural foot-pounds

: a unit of work equal to the work done by a force of one pound acting through a distance of one foot in the direction of the force