amperage

noun

am·​per·​age ˈam-p(ə-)rij 

-ˌpir-ij

plural amperages

1

: the strength of a current of electricity expressed in amperes

2

: level of excitement or energy

The famed animator … ups the amperage by kicking the visuals into the unpredictable world of the teenage subconscious.

—Entertainment Weekly

If his prospects appeared to be dim, his intellectual life took on a new amperage. He seized his London days with manic energy.

—John Lahr

Examples of amperage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Upon speaking to an expert about the vehicle’s emergency lights, detectives found that there was no legitimate reason why they would be equipped with fuses that lacked the proper amperage. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2024

Individual circuit breakers can cost anywhere from $7 to more than $60, depending on amperage and model. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2024

These systems typically require very little in the way of amperage to operate. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 July 2024

With the power setting fixed, the wheel would spin increasingly fast and the amperage drawn from the battery would steadily increase. —IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

amperage

noun

am·​per·​age ˈam-p(ə-)rij 

-ˌpi(ə)r-ij

: the rate of flow of a current of electricity expressed in amperes

Medical Definition

amperage

noun

am·​per·​age ˈam-p(ə-)rij  -ˌpi(ə)r-ij 

: the strength of a current of electricity expressed in amperes