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gigawatt

gigawatt

4.7
Having power equal to one billion watts
  • adjective
  • /ˈɡɪɡəˌwɑt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : de gigavatios
  • A gigawatt power station can supply electricity to millions of homes.

Examples

  • The country plans to build a gigawatt wind farm to increase renewable energy production.

  • Scientists discussed the impact of a gigawatt laser in their latest research paper.

  • The new power plant is rated at gigawatt capacity.

  • This solar farm generates one gigawatt of electricity.

  • The country plans to build a gigawatt wind farm to increase renewable energy production.

  • A gigawatt power station can supply electricity to millions of homes.

  • This solar farm generates one gigawatt of electricity.

How Powerful

terawatt
  • Specialized
3 5.5
gigawatt
  • Specialized
4.7
megawatt
  • Specialized
20 3.9
kilowatt
  • Specialized
16 3.2
watt
  • Specialized
106 2.9

Surface Forms

gigawatt positive

Morphology

gigawatt = watt (semi-transparent) = giga + watt

The word is built transparently from the SI prefix 'giga-' plus 'watt', but the exact magnitude requires knowledge of the scientific prefix.

Etymology

Gigawatt as an adjective comes from the same parts: giga meaning 'giant' or 'a billion' and watt, the unit named after James Watt. So calling something gigawatt means its power is measured in billions of watts, which shows it is extremely powerful.