man power

noun

1.

a. : power available from or supplied by the physical effort of man

b. : a unit of power assumed to be the rate at which a man can perform mechanical work; sometimes : one tenth of a horsepower

2. usually manpower \\ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ : the strength (as of a nation, community, or industry) expressed in terms of available persons : personnel available or competent to serve : human resources

requires a tremendous amount of engineering manpower — Controller

the largest single supplier of educated manpower — T.D.Durrance

manpower problems

specifically : the strength of a nation in terms of persons available for military service

* * *

1. the power supplied by human physical exertions: an ancient building constructed entirely by man power.

2. 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. rate of work in terms of this unit.

4. manpower.

[1860-65]