Word
megawatt
US/ˈmɛɡəˌwɑt/
UK/mˈɛɡəwˌɒt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a unit of power that equals one million watts. It is often used to measure how much electricity a large power plant produces.
n. a unit of power equal to one million watts, typically used to quantify the output of power stations or the consumption of large industrial facilities.
Examples
“The new wind farm produces one megawatt of power.”
“The city's peak electricity demand reached several thousand megawatts during the record-breaking summer heatwave.”
“Engineers calculated that the hydroelectric dam could generate over five hundred megawatts at full capacity, providing enough renewable energy to power the entire metropolitan region.”
Examples
simple
“The new wind farm produces one megawatt of power.”
contextual
“The city's peak electricity demand reached several thousand megawatts during the record-breaking summer heatwave.”
complex
“Engineers calculated that the hydroelectric dam could generate over five hundred megawatts at full capacity, providing enough renewable energy to power the entire metropolitan region.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “megawatt” in context.
Verb
01. consume megawatt
“Large data centers consume several megawatts of power every single hour.”
verb + noun
02. export megawatt
“The region plans to export surplus megawatts to neighboring states during peak hours.”
verb + noun
03. generate megawatt
“The offshore wind farm is designed to generate five hundred megawatts of clean energy.”
verb + noun
04. megawatt powers
“Each megawatt powers approximately eight hundred homes in this residential district.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. installed megawatt
“The cost per installed megawatt has dropped significantly due to advances in solar technology.”
adj + noun
06. thermal megawatt
“The reactor's capacity is measured in thermal megawatt units to determine cooling requirements.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. cost per megawatt
“Utility companies are focused on reducing the average cost per megawatt for consumers.”
noun + prep + noun
08. number of megawatts
“The total number of megawatts produced by the dam varies depending on the water level.”
noun + prep + noun
09. megawatts of electricity
“The plant produces over two thousand megawatts of electricity for the national grid.”
10. peak capacity in megawatts
“The facility reached its peak capacity in megawatts during the summer heatwave.”
Usage
Often abbreviated as MW in technical and industrial contexts.
Real-World Examples
“It said the scheme could generate 500 megawatts of electricity to power about 200,000 homes.” “During last week's heat wave, PJM briefly paid market-clearing prices up to $28,000 per megawatt to power plants and other resources to rapidly adjust their output to keep supply and demand of electricity balanced.” “Together, and with the other adjacent panels included, they form a 100-megawatt farm covering 248 acres.” “Inside a cavernous turbine building, a 300-megawatt lithium-ion battery is currently being readied for operation, with another 100-megawatt battery to come online in 2021.” Etymology
From mega- + watt.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
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