Watt
/wɒt/noun
The SI unit of power, equal to one joule per second.
Did you know?The watt was named in 1882 after Scottish inventor James Watt, whose work on the steam engine became so foundational that his surname was immortalized as the unit of power.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
English
Watt
“A Scottish surname, from the older given name Watt, a pet form of Walter.”
Old High German
OHG
Walthari
“A Germanic personal name meaning roughly “rule army” or “power of the army.””
Middle English
English
Wat
“A familiar pet form of Walter used as a personal name.”
1882
English
watt
“The standard unit of power named in honor of James Watt.”
Modern English
English
watt
“The SI unit of power, equal to one joule per second.”
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