kilowatt-hour

[ kil-uh-wot-ouuh r, -ou-er ]

/ ˈkɪl əˌwɒtˈaʊər, -ˈaʊ ər /

noun

a unit of energy, equivalent to the energy transferred or expended in one hour by one kilowatt of power; approximately 1.34 horsepower-hours. Abbreviation: kWh, K.W.H., kwhr

Nearby words

kiloton, kilovolt, kilovolt-ampere, kilovoltage, kilowatt, kilowatt-hour, kilpatrick, kilroy, kilt, kilt pleat, kilted

Origin of kilowatt-hour

First recorded in 1890–95

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kwh

A kilowatt is usually indicated by "kw" and a kilowatt hour by "kwh."
Electricity for the 4-H Scientist|Eric B. Wilson
This tells you the number of kwh used by the appliance during the month.
Electricity for the 4-H Scientist|Eric B. Wilson
Ten 100-watt light bulbs burning for one hour would use one kilowatt-hour—one kwh.
Electricity for the 4-H Scientist|Eric B. Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for kwh (1 of 2)

kWh

abbreviation for

kilowatt-hour

British Dictionary definitions for kwh (2 of 2)

kilowatt-hour

noun

a unit of energy equal to the work done by a power of 1000 watts in one hourSymbol: kWh

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for kwh

kilowatt-hour

A unit used to measure energy, especially electrical energy in commercial applications. One kilowatt-hour is equal to one kilowatt of power produced or consumed over a period of one hour, or 3.6 X 106 joules.

Culture definitions for kwh

kilowatt-hour

[ (kil-uh-waht) ]

A unit of energy: the expenditure of one kilowatt of power for one hour. A toaster running for an hour will use about this much energy.