1. people, organizations, or things having great energy, strength, or power
Usage: plural form
2. buildings or structures containing machinery for generating electric power
Usage: plural form; technical

Examples

• The tech companies have become economic powerhouses in the region.
• These athletes are powerhouses who dominate their sport.
• The university is one of the academic powerhouses in the country.
• Several powerhouses were built along the river to generate electricity.
• The manufacturing powerhouses drove the nation’s industrial growth.
• Both teams are powerhouses with impressive winning records.