watt

noun

ˈwät How to pronounce watt (audio)
: the absolute meter-kilogram-second unit of power equal to the work done at the rate of one joule per second or to the power produced by a current of one ampere across a potential difference of one volt : 1/746 horsepower

Examples of watt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under Idaho law, e-bikes have pedals and an electric motor with a maximum power output of 750 watts and the ability to travel no more than 28 mph. — Rose Evans august 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026 This has created the perfect opportunity to go one step beyond the metric tokens per watt and make tokens per watt per dollar the new AI productivity metric. — Steven Carlini, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The glow of ten-watt bulbs peeked from behind the patchworks of plywood and concrete. — Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026 By using a mathematical technique to reduce the precision of some data, the researchers brought that figure down to 51 watts without compromising the system’s ability to detect dangerous computational errors. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watt

Word History

Etymology

James Watt †1819

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watt was in 1882

Phrases Containing watt

Rhymes for watt

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Browse Nearby Words

Watson-Watt
watt
Watt
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Cite this Entry

“Watt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watt. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

watt

noun
ˈwät How to pronounce watt (audio)
: a unit of power equal to the work done at the rate of one joule per second
Etymology

named for James Watt 1736–1819 Scottish engineer

Medical Definition

watt

noun
ˈwät How to pronounce watt (audio)
: the absolute mks unit of power equal to the work done at the rate of one joule per second or to the power produced by a current of one ampere across a potential difference of one volt : ¹/₇₄₆ horsepower

Biographical Definition

Watt

biographical name

ˈwät How to pronounce Watt (audio)
James 1736–1819 Scottish inventor

More from Merriam-Webster on watt

Nglish: Translation of watt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about watt

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