Powerhouses

Powerhouse is a term used across several contexts to denote exceptional energy, strength, or influence. In general usage, a powerhouse refers to a person, organization, or product that performs at a high level over time, or to a source of sustained impact. The word is also applied to physical facilities that generate power, such as a building that houses turbines and generators for electrical supply.

In biology, the term is often used metaphorically for the mitochondrion, referred to as the powerhouse of the cell because it supplies most of the cell’s adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through respiration.

In economic and geographic contexts, regions, industries, or nations described as powerhouses are those that drive growth, innovation, or productivity. Examples include industrial or technological powerhouses, which are characterized by large-scale production, strong infrastructure, and influential markets.

In sports and culture, a powerhouse implies enduring strength and depth of talent, allowing a team or organization to compete at a high level across competitions. The noun can also function as an attributive adjective, as in “a powerhouse performer” or “a powerhouse company.”

Etymology: the term combines power with house, suggesting a place that contains or concentrates energy. See also expressions such as economic powerhouse, energy infrastructure, and cellular respiration.