Pronunciation: [mˈɪlɪwˌɒt] (IPA) 
The word "milliwatt" is spelled with two syllables: "mil-li-watt." The first syllable is pronounced as "mil" (/mɪl/) with a short "i" sound and the second syllable is pronounced as "li" (/li/) with a long "e" sound, followed by "watt" (/wɑt/) with a short "a" sound. This word refers to a unit of power equal to one thousandth of a watt. It is commonly used in the field of electronics and electrical engineering.
A milliwatt is a unit of power in the International System of Units (SI), denoted by the symbol "mW". It is derived from the base unit of power, the watt (W), and is equal to one thousandth (1/1000) of a watt.
To comprehend the magnitude of a milliwatt, it is helpful to compare it to other commonly used power measurements. One milliwatt is equivalent to one thousand microwatts (µW) or one million nanowatts (nW). In terms of electrical energy, it represents the consumption or generation of power at a rate of one thousandth of a joule per second.
The milliwatt is frequently used to express low-power values, especially in the fields of electronics, telecommunications, and optics. It is often associated with devices or components that operate on low levels of electricity, such as small electronic circuits, sensors, diodes, transistors, or laser pointers. Additionally, the milliwatt can be used to measure the output power of small electrical devices like headphones, speakers, or laser printers.
Considering its small magnitude, the milliwatt is generally used when discussing low-level power consumption or generation. However, it is important to note that this value can vary significantly depending on the context, as it may be substantially different when dealing with high-power applications or industrial settings where kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW) are commonly employed.
The word "milliwatt" is a combination of two components: "milli" and "watt".
The term "milli" is a prefix derived from the Latin word "mille", meaning "thousand". In modern usage, it denotes a factor of one thousandth (1/1000) of a unit. In the metric system, it is commonly used to represent sub-multiples of a base unit.
The word "watt" is named after James Watt, an 18th-century Scottish engineer who made significant contributions to the development of the steam engine. The watt (symbol: W) is the unit of power in the International System of Units (SI). It represents the rate at which energy is transferred or work is done, equivalent to one joule per second.
