microwatt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “microwatt” mean?
A unit of power equal to one millionth of a watt.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of power equal to one millionth of a watt.
Used to measure extremely small power levels, typically in electronics, telecommunications, and sensor technology. It represents a scale of energy consumption or output that is minimal and often associated with low-power or energy-efficient devices.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Pronunciation may follow regional patterns for the prefix 'micro-'.
Connotations
None beyond its technical meaning.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both technical registers.
Grammar
How to Use “microwatt” in a Sentence
[number] microwatt(s)[number] µWconsumption of [number] microwattsoutput measured in microwattsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “microwatt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The circuit is designed to microwatt its output for peak efficiency.
- We need to microwatt the transmitter to comply with regulations.
American English
- The chip can dynamically microwatt its consumption during sleep mode.
- They had to microwatt the signal to avoid interference.
adverb
British English
- The device operates microwatt efficiently.
- The signal was transmitted microwatt slowly.
American English
- The processor runs microwatt efficiently in standby.
- The data is sent microwatt carefully to conserve energy.
adjective
British English
- The microwatt region of the spectrum is critical for some sensors.
- We observed a microwatt-level discharge.
American English
- The device features a microwatt power management system.
- This is a microwatt-scale energy harvesting project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in technical specifications for low-power electronics or energy sector reports on micro-generation.
Academic
Common in physics, engineering, and electronics papers discussing low-power circuits, sensor networks, or radio transmitters.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The concept of a 'watt' is more common (e.g., lightbulb power).
Technical
Standard term in electrical engineering, telecommunications, and physics for quantifying very low power levels.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “microwatt”
- Misspelling as 'micro-watt' (hyphenated; standard form is solid 'microwatt').
- Incorrect abbreviation: using 'mw' (which could mean milliwatt) instead of the correct 'µW'.
- Mispronouncing the first syllable as /mɪk/ instead of /maɪk/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly technical term used primarily in engineering and physics. The average person will rarely encounter it.
The correct SI symbol is µW, where 'µ' is the Greek letter 'mu' representing the prefix 'micro-' (one millionth).
Yes. Many passive RFID tags, some heart rate monitor sensors, and environmental sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT) operate on power levels measured in microwatts.
The next smaller common unit is the nanowatt (nW), which is one thousandth of a microwatt (10^-9 watts).
A unit of power equal to one millionth of a watt.
Microwatt is usually technical/scientific in register.
Microwatt: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ.wɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.wɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MICROscopic WATT. A watt is a unit of power (like for a light bulb); a microwatt is a million times smaller, like the power for a tiny sensor.
Conceptual Metaphor
None applicable; it is a precise quantitative term.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a microwatt?