propellant

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​pel·​lant prə-ˈpe-lənt 

variants or less commonly propellent

: capable of propelling

propellant

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly propellent

: something that propels: such as

a

: an explosive for propelling projectiles

b

: fuel plus oxidizer used by a rocket engine

c

: a gas kept under pressure in a bottle or can for expelling the contents when the pressure is released

Examples of propellant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And what event was deemed sufficiently surprising, shocking, intriguing, or otherwise dramatic to provide the little hit of narrative propellant to kick us into a title sequence? —Chris Klimek, Vulture, 19 June 2024

SpaceX plans to test a method to refill Starship's propellant tanks in orbit, which would allow the vehicle to reach even greater distances in space. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024

Noun

Many cooking sprays are made with refined oils, containing additives and propellants that aren't ideal for health-conscious cooks. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024

Engineers believe a separate set of degraded seals is causing helium leaks, which the spacecraft uses to pressurize the propulsion system and drive propellants into its thrusters. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin prōpellent-, prōpellens, present participle of prōpellere "to push or thrust forward, compel to go onward" — more at propel

Noun

in part noun derivative of propellant entry 1, in part from propel + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

propellant

noun

pro·​pel·​lant

variants also propellent

prə-ˈpel-ənt

: something that propels: as

a

: fuel plus a chemical to supply oxygen used by a rocket engine

b

: a gas under pressure in a can for expelling the contents when the pressure is released