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Glite Dictionary
power unit

power unit

3 4.1
A standard measure of electric power, like the watt
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : unidad de potencia
  • auxiliary power units
  • hydraulic power units
  • nuclear power units

Examples

  • The power unit provided a cheap, portable pressure supply.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The cardboard engine is similar in construction to some of the earliest stationary power units.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Since pressurized hydraulic fluid is available off a central line in most manufacturing facilities, the power unit is not needed for actual operation.

    Academic text (1995)

  • There's still work to be done before such power units can integrate smoothly into new rigs, though.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The trailers on the left are portable power units to back up the 100-acre farm of solar collectors.

    Blog text (15)

  • The power unit, trailer base, and composting assembly are supported on dual axles with a 16,000-pound capacity.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Providing pressure to the circuit is a power unit that consists of a 5-gallon tank, a single-phase 115-volt AC 1-horsepower motor, a gear pump, and a relief valve.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The engineer tested the power unit to ensure it was functioning correctly before the installation.

  • In our lab, we measured the output of the power unit to verify its efficiency during operations.

  • Each power unit at the facility is designed to produce a specific amount of electrical energy for the grid.

Synonyms

watt
vspower unit
  • Specialized
106 2.9

A unit that measures how fast energy is used or made

is the general term for units that measure electrical power
horsepower
vspower unit
  • Specialized
68 3.7

A unit that measures engine power, equal to 746 watts

is the general electrical units label, not the engine rating usage
HP
vspower unit
  • Specialized
35 3.4

A unit for measuring engine or motor power equal to 746 watts

is the broad term for electrical measurement rather than this mechanical rating
megawatt
vspower unit
  • Specialized
20 3.9

A unit of power equal to one million watts used for large power sources

is the general term rather than this very large multiple
kilowatt
vspower unit
  • Specialized
16 3.2

A measure of electric power equal to 1,000 watts

is the broad label for electrical measurement rather than this specific scale
kW
vspower unit
  • Specialized
7 3.4

A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts

is the general term rather than this specific larger scale
milliwatt
vspower unit
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A unit of power equal to one thousandth of a watt

is the overall name, not this much smaller scaled measure
microwatt
vspower unit
  • Specialized
3.7

A unit of power equal to one millionth of a watt

is the broad concept rather than this extremely small scale
abwatt
vspower unit
  • Archaic
9.9

A small unit of power equal to 0.00001 watts

is the common electrical measurement term, not this niche CGS unit

Surface Forms

power unit singular
power units plural

Morphology

power + unit

The meaning 'a standard quantity used to measure electrical power' is directly derivable from combining 'power' (rate of doing work/electrical supply) with 'unit' (a defined measurement quantity). This simple noun+noun compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Power unit joins power (energy or force) with unit (one fixed amount). It makes a simple picture of one motor or engine doing a set job, so the phrase is used for a standard way to 'measure' power like the 'watt'.