: a unit of work or energy equivalent to the power of one watt operating for one hour

Examples of watt-hour in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Beginning May 1, Delta customers will be limited to two portable chargers, not to exceed 100 watt-hours each. Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026 Starting April 20, the airline is limiting power banks to just one per passenger, and their capacity must not exceed 100 watt-hours. Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026 In comparison, radioactive batteries generate only about 2 watt-hours per kilogram, which the Rads to Watts Program aims to address. Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026 Southwest says spare batteries and power banks must be carried onboard, with terminals protected against short circuits and capacity capped at 100 watt-hours. Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 In the study, the team created lithium metal pouch cells that achieved an energy density of 317 watt-hours per pound (Wh/lb) at room temperature. New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2026 Fletcher said Sion Power’s lithium-metal cells are engineered to deliver energy densities exceeding 500 watt-hour per kilogram, compared with approximately 300-350 Wh/kg for today’s most advanced lithium-ion technology. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026 Of LuSEE-Night’s launch mass of 108 kg, about 38 kg is a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 7,160 watt-hours, mostly to generate heat. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2026 With 16,896 usable watt-hours of energy—enough to run the air-conditioning for up to 14 hours on battery power alone—the system supports everything from the convection oven to the vehicle’s computer systems, Fusion audio, and 24-inch LED TV. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watt-hour was in 1888

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Cite this Entry

“Watt-hour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watt-hour. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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