Word
Definitions
01available workers
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the total number of people who are available to work on a project or for a company.
n. the collective human resources or workforce available for a specific task or within a particular economy.
“The company doesn't have enough manpower to finish the construction before winter.”
“The rescue operation required significant manpower and specialized equipment to reach the isolated mountain village before nightfall.”
Usage
Uncountable noun; often used in contexts of planning, military operations, or industrial production.
Teaching tip
In modern professional settings, many people prefer gender-neutral terms like 'staffing', 'workforce', or 'human resources' instead of 'manpower'.
02physical power of a person
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the physical strength or power of one person.
n. the power exerted by an individual human being, often used as a unit of comparison to mechanical power.
Español:mano de obra
“In the past, moving these heavy stones required pure manpower and simple tools.”
“The historical study compared the efficiency of traditional manpower against the early steam engines used in the mines.”
Usage
Usually uncountable; less common in modern English than the workforce sense.
Teaching tip
This sense is rare outside of historical or technical comparisons between human effort and machine power.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“It also depends on networks on land that can provide money, equipment, manpower and protection.” “With Putin showing no sign of abandoning his far-reaching territorial demands, even as Russia’s summer offensive stalls, the Kremlin faces a growing manpower headache.” “Once a pillar was carved out, they then shifted it a few hundred metres across the hilltop, using rope, log beams and ample manpower.” Etymology
From man + power.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/manpower
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0