wattage

IPA/ˈwɒtɪdʒ/
KK[wˈɑtədʒ]IPA/ˈwɑːtɪdʒ/

wattage — noun

1. a device's power level, shown by how many watts it uses or gives

1.nounB2
Definition

a device's power level, shown by how many watts it uses or gives

Example

Élise checked the lamp's wattage before buying a new bulb.

check wattage before replacing bulbs

The box lists the wattage, so Arjun chose the safer heater.

product box lists wattage

Common collocations
  • check the wattage
  • compare wattage
  • high wattage
  • low wattage
  • wattage rating
Synonyms
  • power rating

    common on labels and in manuals for an official figure

  • power level

    broader and less technical than a stated watt figure

Usage Note

Usually appears on product labels, in manuals, and in shopping talk about how strong or power-hungry an electrical device is.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Wattage focuses on how much electrical power a device uses or gives out, stated in watts. Power rating is common on labels and in manuals when a maker gives an official figure. Power consumption is narrower: it usually stresses how much electricity a machine takes in while running, not simply its stated strength. Voltage is different again, because it measures electrical pressure rather than total power. Ask about wattage when you want a quick idea of how strong or energy-hungry a heater, bulb, or speaker is. Ask about voltage when you need to match the local electrical system.

wattage ↗power ratingpower consumptionvoltage ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Verbs

Phrases

  • high wattage
  • low wattage
  • wattage rating

Adjectives

Etymology

English

The word wattage was formed in English from watt, the unit named after engineer James Watt, plus the suffix -age. It came to mean the amount of electrical power shown in watts for a machine or other device.

First known use

1903

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1