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

The 130-foot-tall (40-meter) propellant tank is one of the five major elements that comprise the 212-foot-tall (65-meter) SLS core stage. —Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 29 Apr. 2025

The ingredient list also usually includes dimethyl silicone (anti foaming agent) and a propellant gas such as nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, or propane, which are deemed safe to use by the FDA1. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025

Noun

Gilmour has tested the rocket's engines and rehearsed the countdown last year, loading propellant and getting within 10 seconds of launch. —ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025

The private security firm also linked it to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant to the port. —Arkansas Online, 27 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for propellant

• appellant
• libellant
• repellant
• repellent

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