watt

noun WAT Rare

Origin: Named after Scottish engineer James Watt.

Usage Note

Watt is an SI unit of power, used in French exactly as in English. The common multiples kilowatt and mégawatt are also used. In everyday speech combien de watts is how French speakers ask about a bulb's or appliance's power consumption. The plural is watts.

Examples

"Cette ampoule consomme seulement dix watts."

Natural Translation

This bulb uses only ten watts.

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