KW: meaning, definitions and examples
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kW
[ kiː ˈdʌbljuː ˈdʌbljuː ˈel. ]
unit of power
kW stands for kilowatt, which is a unit of power equal to one thousand watts. It is commonly used to measure the output of engines and the power consumption of electrical devices. The term is derived from the prefix 'kilo-', meaning thousand, and 'watt', which is a unit of power named after James Watt, a Scottish inventor.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- This generator produces 5 kW of electrical power.
- The solar panels generate an average of 3.5 kW.
- Our house requires about 10 kW of power to operate.
Etymology
The term 'kilowatt' originates from the prefix 'kilo-', which is derived from the Greek word 'chilioi', meaning 'thousand'. The watt is named after James Watt, an 18th-century Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer who was pivotal in the development of the steam engine. The combination of these two terms signifies a measure of power that is convenient for large quantities, such as those used in electrical engineering and various appliances. First adopted in the early 1900s, the kilowatt became widely used in the energy sector to represent electrical power, as it provided a clearer understanding of how much power devices consumed or generated.