manpower

American  

[man-pou-er] / ˈmænˌpaʊ ər /

noun

1. power in terms of people available or required for work or military service.

   the manpower of a country.

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manpower British  

/ ˈmænˌpaʊə /

noun

1. power supplied by men

2. a unit of power based on the rate at which a man can work; approximately 75 watts

3. the number of people available or required to perform a particular function

   the manpower of a battalion

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Usage

Gender-neutral form: personnel, staff

Etymology

Origin of manpower

First recorded in 1860–65; man + power

Example Sentences

“I don’t know if it will truly be first-come, first-served or if customs will have the manpower to handle claims,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

When federal policies impose fiscal, administrative or manpower burdens on states and localities, there should be a way of compensating them.

From The Wall Street Journal

If the military still falls short of its manpower needs, politicians say, they may resort to compulsory military service, which was suspended in 2011.

From The Wall Street Journal

In fact, Rome had greater manpower; through the innovation of the corvus, or boarding bridge, Rome leveled Carthage’s advantage at sea, and appears to have been more single-minded and ruthless.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That’ll increase our manpower by a third, so I’m grateful. Do you like animals, Chase?”

From Literature