Horsepower — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈhȯrs-ˌpau̇(-ə)r/ horse·pow·er

Meaning & Definition of Horsepower

Horsepower (noun)

  1. the power that a horse exerts in pulling
  2. a unit of power equal in the U.S. to 746 watts and nearly equivalent to the English gravitational unit of the same name that equals 550 foot-pounds of work per second
  3. effective power

Horsepower (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task

    "that architectural firm probably doesn't have the creative horsepower to produce a truly innovative design"

    similar: energy, firepower, force, might, muscle, potence, potency, power, puissance, sinew, strength, vigor
    related: aptitude, capability, capacity, competence, competency, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, usefulness
    opposite: impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness
    near: disability, inability, inaptitude, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, helplessness, paralysis

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Horsepower

The most common words with a similar meaning to Horsepower:

energy, firepower, force, might, muscle, potence, potency, power, puissance, sinew, strength, vigor

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Horsepower

Words with the opposite meaning of Horsepower:

impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Related Words for Horsepower

aptitude, capability, capacity, competence, competency, adequacy, effectiveness, effectualness, usefulness

Near Antonyms of Horsepower

disability, inability, inaptitude, incapability, incapableness, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficaciousness, inefficacy, uselessness, helplessness, paralysis

Origin & Etymology of Horsepower

First known use: 1806

Words & Phrases Containing Horsepower

shaft horsepower

Frequently Asked Questions about Horsepower

What does "Horsepower" mean?

"Horsepower" means the power that a horse exerts in pulling. As a noun, it is defined as: the power that a horse exerts in pulling.

What is another word for "Horsepower"?

Other words for "Horsepower" include energy, firepower, force, might, muscle, potence, potency and power. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Horsepower" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Horsepower"?

There are 21 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Horsepower". Common alternatives include energy, firepower, force, might, muscle, potence, potency, power, puissance and sinew.

What is the opposite of "Horsepower"?

Antonyms of "Horsepower" include impotence, impotency, powerlessness and weakness. Near antonyms include disability, inability, inaptitude and incapability.

How do you use "Horsepower" in a sentence?

Examples of "Horsepower" in a sentence: "that architectural firm probably doesn't have the creative horsepower to produce a truly innovative design".

Is "Horsepower" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Horsepower" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Horsepower"?

"Horsepower" is pronounced /ˈhȯrs-ˌpau̇(-ə)r/ and divided into syllables as horse·pow·er.

What is the origin of the word "Horsepower"?

First known use: 1806.