man power

US: (man′pou′ər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

man′ pow′er, 

1. the power supplied by human physical exertions:
   an ancient building constructed entirely by man power.
2. Mechanics a unit of power, assumed to be equal to the rate at which a person can do mechanical work, and commonly taken as ¹⁄₁₀ horsepower.
3. Mechanics rate of work in terms of this unit.
4. manpower.
• 1860–65

man•pow•er  (man′pou′ər), n. 

1. power in terms of people available or required for work or military service:
   the manpower of a country.

• man¹ + power 1860–65