Meaning & use
wattage
Last updated
UK/ˈwɒtɪdʒ/
US/ˈwɑːtɪdʒ/
Meaning
noununcountable
The amount of electrical power a device uses or produces, measured in watts.
Grammar: Uncountable noun; used with 'high', 'low', or a number + 'watts'.
Patterns
- high wattage
- low wattage
- the wattage of something
Check the wattage of the appliance before plugging it in.
This hair dryer has a high wattage, so it heats up quickly.
Use a bulb with the correct wattage for your lamp.
Common combinations
- high wattage
- High wattage appliances should not be used with extension cords.
- low wattage
- Low wattage bulbs save energy but produce less light.
- wattage rating
- The wattage rating is printed on the label.
- exceed the wattage
- Never exceed the wattage recommended for the fixture.
Synonyms and how they differ
- power rating
- A more general term that can include other measures; 'wattage' specifically refers to watts.
Word family
- watt noun
- The unit of power itself.
Commonly confused: wattage or voltage?
wattage vs voltage
Voltage measures electrical pressure, while wattage measures power. A device can have high voltage but low wattage.
Practice
What does 'wattage' refer to?
Choose one answer.
Wattage is the measure of electrical power in watts. Speed, resistance, and cost are different concepts.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “wattage”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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