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

The full system requires more than 10 million pounds of propellant for launch. —Michael Sheetz, NBC News, 13 Oct. 2024

With no propellant in the tank, the Europa Clipper weighs about 7,145 pounds. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 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