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Definition of horsepower

horsepower

/ˈhɔːrsˌpaʊ.ər/
horse · pow · er
Plural:horsepower
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horsepower Lexical Profile

horsepower Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A standard unit of power equal to 550 foot-pounds of work per second (approximately 745.7 watts), commonly used to measure the mechanical output of engines and motors.

Example

"The new sports car boasts an impressive engine that delivers over six hundred horsepower."

2

The raw power, capacity, or driving force of a person, organization, or system.

Example

"The tech company lacks the computing horsepower required to train such a massive artificial intelligence model."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

horsemeat
horseplay
horseplayer
horsepower
horsepox
horserace
horseracing

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century by Scottish engineer James Watt to compare the output of his newly improved steam engines with the working power of draft horses, making the technology relatable to potential buyers.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Horsepower. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/horsepower
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