kilowatt-hour

noun

kilo·​watt-hour ˈki-lə-ˌwät-ˈau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce kilowatt-hour (audio)
ˈkē-lə-
: a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour or to 3.6 million joules

Examples of kilowatt-hour 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.
Located on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau, the multi-dam cascade is expected to generate 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—equivalent to the total electricity consumption of the United Kingdom last year, according to Reuters. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025 The formula looks like this: Cost = (power (in watts) x time (in hours)) / 1,000 x cost of one kilowatt-hour A 50-watt fan running 24 hours a day can cost as little as a few dollars each month, depending on residential electricity costs in your area. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025 Industry analysts forecast battery pack prices will drop, nearing $100 per kilowatt-hour in 2025—a tipping point for electric vehicle affordability. Vincent Ledoux Pedailles, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 The Blue Marlin’s environmental impact and design benefits Each year, the Blue Marlin's solar array can generate up to 37,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for kilowatt-hour

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kilowatt-hour was in 1892

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Cite this Entry

“Kilowatt-hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kilowatt-hour. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

kilowatt-hour

noun
: a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour and equal to 3.6 million joules

Medical Definition

kilowatt-hour

noun
: a unit of work or energy equal to that expended by one kilowatt in one hour
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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