watt
1 synonym for watt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The standard unit of power, equal to one joule of energy transferred per second.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
W
How to use watt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
60-watt bulb
watts of power
Etymology
Named after the Scottish engineer James Watt, whose improvements to the steam engine made him a defining figure of the Industrial Revolution.
Full origin of watt →Frequently asked questions
What does “watt” mean?
The word “watt” means the standard unit of power, equal to one joule of energy transferred per second. In plain terms, the unit used to measure how much power something uses or produces.
How do you pronounce “watt”?
“Watt” is pronounced wot (/wɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “watt” in a sentence?
Here is “watt” used in a sentence: “The light bulb uses only 10 watts of power.”
What part of speech is “watt”?
“Watt” is a noun.
Is “watt” a common word?
“Watt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a watt and a joule?
A joule measures a quantity of energy, while a watt measures the rate at which that energy is used or transferred, equal to one joule per second. In other words, a watt is a measure of power, not energy itself.
How is a watt related to a kilowatt?
A kilowatt is simply 1,000 watts, used because watts are a small unit for describing the power of larger devices or appliances. Energy bills often use kilowatt-hours, which measure energy used over time rather than power alone.
What is the difference between watts and volts or amps?
Volts measure electrical pressure and amps measure current flow, while watts measure the resulting power, calculated by multiplying volts by amps. So watts describe the actual rate of energy transfer produced by a given voltage and current.
