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

Its contentious backstory aside, the setting floats atop Chavez Ravine with nighttime lights glowing like a crown of candlepower above the city.

From Los Angeles Times

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

The world was still measured in candlepower, and each bulb had the brightness of sixteen candles.

From The New Yorker

The low-key Dr. Rivlin “doesn’t have the biggest radiance and the biggest candlepower,” Williams said, but she was central to bringing the District back from the brink.

From Washington Post