# power unit

CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/power-unit
Updated: 2026-10-04

## Definition

a piece of equipment that provides electricity or energy to a machine. You often find these inside computers or as part of a car's engine system.

For teachers: a component or assembly that provides the necessary energy to drive a mechanical or electronic system. In automotive contexts, it often refers to the combination of the engine, transmission, and energy recovery systems.

## Examples

- The computer will not turn on because the power unit is broken.
- Modern racing cars use a complex power unit that combines a traditional engine with electric motors to increase efficiency.
- Engineers spent months refining the power unit to ensure it could withstand the extreme thermal stresses of long-distance flight without losing efficiency.

## Synonyms

engine, motor, supply

## Usage notes

- Often used in technical or industrial contexts to describe a modular energy source.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.