power factor

noun

The ratio of the actual power to the apparent power in an alternating current power system; specifically, the cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and the current.

“The power factor is of interest because it is a measure of the power which does useful work.”

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Meanings

nounpower factor (plural power factors)

plural power factors

  1. businessThe ratio of the actual power to the apparent power in an alternating current power system; specifically, the cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and the current.

    The power factor is of interest because it is a measure of the power which does useful work.

Cite this entry
APA

power factor. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/power%20factor

MLA

“power factor.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/power%20factor. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “power factor,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/power%20factor.

Source: power factor on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.