Definition

A unit of power that is equal to one million watts, often used to measure the output of power plants.

Example

The new solar farm has a capacity of 100 megawatts.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new power plant they’re building?

Yeah, I read it will generate over a thousand megawatts of energy.

That's a huge amount!

I know, right? It should really help with the energy demands in our area.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Megawatt** → It is formed from "mega-" (from Greek *megas*, meaning great or large) and "watt" (named after James Watt, a Scottish inventor, and engineer, who made significant contributions to the development of the steam engine). The word "megawatt" refers to a unit of power equal to one million watts, indicating a large amount of electrical power.

Memory Tip

Think of 'mega' meaning 'great' or 'large' and 'watt' as a measure of power. This helps you remember that a megawatt is a large unit of power.

Visually Confused Words