What does wattage mean?
Wattage is a noun meaning an amount of electrical power measured in watts. It is especially useful when discussing the power rating of household appliances, lighting equipment, electronics, and other electrical systems. A higher wattage often indicates greater potential output or faster performance, as with a high-wattage kettle or vacuum cleaner, but it does not necessarily mean that a device uses energy more efficiently. In technical and commercial writing, wattage may specifically denote an appliance's rated capacity or output, while in general contexts it can describe the power actually consumed. The related unit, the watt, commemorates the Scottish engineer and steam-engine pioneer James Watt. Wattage formed later by combining his name in the unit “watt” with the suffix “-age.” The word is consequently part of everyday electrical vocabulary, especially wherever product specifications, energy use, or appliance performance are being compared.
nounAn amount of electrical power measured in watts, especially the amount used or supplied by an appliance or system. It can also refer to a device's rated power output or capacity.
- The amount of electrical power used, supplied, or produced, measured in watts.
- The rated power output or capacity of an appliance, device, or electrical system.
"The kettle has a high wattage, so it heats water quickly but uses considerable electricity."
"Higher wattage generally means faster heating or more powerful performance, though it does not by itself determine energy efficiency."
"The label lists the lamp's wattage and recommended bulb type."
The plural is used when referring to the wattages of multiple devices, systems, or products.
"The guide compares the wattages of several different lamps."
Wattage is named for James Watt, whose improvements to steam engines helped launch the Industrial Revolution.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wattage come from?
Wattage was formed in English from watt, the unit of electrical power named in honor of James Watt, plus the suffix -age. The unit watt was adopted in the late 19th century, and wattage developed subsequently as a term for an amount of power measured in watts. Other electrical terms such as kilowatt, milliwatt, and megawatt share the same watt root.
Related word forms
How wattage is actually used
Wattage is common in technical and consumer contexts. It is usually used for the power rating of an appliance or system, while watt is reserved for the unit itself. The term can also refer more broadly to the power consumed in a particular situation.
Easily confused with wattage
A watt is the unit of electrical power, whereas wattage is an amount of power expressed in watts.
Voltage measures electrical potential difference, while wattage measures the rate at which electrical energy is used or transferred.