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Horsepower> unit of power for measuring the rate at which an engine can perform mechanical work. It is usually abbreviated hp. One horsepower was originally defined as the amount of power required to lift 33,000 pounds 1 foot in 1 minute, or 550 foot-pounds per second. Three different horsepower values are used to quote the performance of an engine: (1) Indicated horsepower is the theoretical efficiency of a reciprocating engine, which is determined from the pressure developed by the cylinders of the engine; (2) brake or shaft horsepower is more commonly used to indicate the practical ability of the engine, or the maximum performance, which is the indicated horsepower minus the power lost through heat, friction, and compression; (3) rated horsepower is the power that an engine or motor can produce efficiently for sustained periods of time.
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