powerhouse

American  

[pou-er-hous] / ˈpaʊ ərˌhaʊs /

noun

plural

powerhouses

1. Electricity. a generating station.

2. a person, group, team, or the like, having great energy, strength, or potential for success.

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powerhouse British  

/ ˈpaʊəˌhaʊs /

noun

1. an electrical generating station or plant

2. informal a forceful or powerful person or thing

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Usage

What does powerhouse mean? A powerhouse is a powerful, forceful, or dominant person, group, or thing.In a literal sense, a powerhouse is a station or plant that generates electricity. Although it can still be used this way, terms like power plant and power station are much more common. Powerhouse is far more commonly used in the figurative way, especially in context of sports and business.Example: Because they always win, they can always recruit the best players, which makes them a perennial powerhouse in the conference.

Etymology

Origin of powerhouse

First recorded in 1880–85; power + house

Example Sentences

The record number followed a bonanza year for Gotham’s investment banking powerhouses, though it fell well short of the city’s projections.

From The Wall Street Journal

At Milan Cortina, Italy’s Winter Olympians produced their best ever medal haul to finish behind only powerhouses Norway and Team USA.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japan may not be considered a global footballing powerhouse - but underestimate them at your peril.

From BBC

Inside the museum, rare prototypes of Apple products, including its personal computers and smartphones, were on display to showcase the Silicon Valley powerhouse’s long journey.

From Los Angeles Times

Combining with Unilever’s food division would remake McCormick into a global powerhouse, but the recent history of Big Food mergers hits a cautionary note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• active
• adequate
• compelling
• competent
• direct
• efficient
• forceful
• impressive
• potent
• powerful
• practical
• successful
• useful
• valid