candlepower

American  

[kan-dl-pou-er] / ˈkæn dlˌpaʊ ər /

Or candle power

noun

Optics.

1. (formerly) a measure of luminous intensity expressed in candles. CP

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candlepower British  

/ ˈkændəlˌpaʊə /

noun

1. the luminous intensity of a source of light in a given direction: now expressed in candelas but formerly in terms of the international candle

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candlepower Scientific  

/ kăn′dl-pou′ər /

1. Luminous intensity, expressed in candelas.

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Etymology

Origin of candlepower

First recorded in 1875–80; candle + power

Example Sentences

But even Harris and Porter, as well known as they are, lack anywhere near the candlepower of the two most famous bold-faced names who were elected California governor, Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2025

They do nothing, for eons, bathed in a dim light of the distant sun, a bright point of light with just enough candlepower to read a book if such a thing could be located.

From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2020

Like its predecessors, "Iron Man 3" will be an expensive film featuring veteran actors of serious candlepower.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2012

Ultimately, the candlepower of the brightest star in golf history shone through the crazy subplots.

From Golf Digest • Mar. 23, 2010

Halfway to the ceiling, seemingly in midair, were five gigantic electric chandeliers, the largest ever built, each seventy-five feet in diameter and generating 828,000 candlepower.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson