noun
horsepower
HAWS-pow-uh
noun
1
A unit for measuring the power of an engine, roughly equal to 746 watts.
"The new sports car boasts over 500 horsepower."
"They upgraded the engine for an extra 50 horsepower."
2
Overall strength or performance capability, used more loosely.
"The new laptop has plenty of horsepower for video editing."
How to Use Horsepower
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA measure of an engine's power, or more generally, how much strength or capability something has.
Common pairings
500 horsepower
engine horsepower
raw horsepower
Word Forms
horsepowers plural, horsepower plural
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The new sports car boasts over 500 _____.
Etymology
Coined from horse plus power — engineer James Watt originally defined it by comparing steam engines to the pulling power of a real horse.