Other forms: amps
An amp is the unit of electrical flow. Thirteen amps, a five-amp fuse, how many amps.
It measures current — how much charge passes a point each second — where volts measure the push and watts the power. A British plug fuse is rated in amps, and fitting the right one matters. Amp is also short for amplifier, which is a completely different thing that happens to be electrical. Note that the unit is named after André-Marie Ampère.
1nounampThe unit of electrical current.
“A kettle draws about thirteen amps.”
2nounamplifierAn amplifier.
“The guitarist turned his amp up so loud that the windows shook.”
amp is a unit, or an amplifier.