propeller

noun

pro·​pel·​ler prə-ˈpe-lər 

variants or less commonly propellor

: one that propels

especially : a device that consists of a central hub with radiating blades placed and twisted so that each forms part of a helical surface and that is used to propel a vehicle (such as a ship or airplane)

Examples of propeller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read Next Florida Diver died while tangled in propeller off Florida, feds say. —Mark Price, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025

The incident unfolded on March 27 as the red Cirrus SR22 propeller aircraft was arriving from the Myrtle Beach area. —Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025

This first flight came after months of setbacks because of vibration problems with the complex gearbox that connected two contra-rotating wooden propellers to the two 80-bhp Continental A-80 engines. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2025

But anyone can click on more than 900 videos the couple has posted over the years, mostly while wearing their trademark propeller beanies. —Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

propel + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing propeller

• propeller-head
• screw propeller

Rhymes for propeller

• bestseller
• bookseller
• flagellar
• impeller
• lamellar
• micellar
• modeller
• ocellar
• patellar
• reseller
• scutellar
• beller

Kids Definition

propeller

noun

pro·​pel·​ler prə-ˈpel-ər 

: a device consisting of a hub fitted with blades that is made to turn rapidly by an engine and is used especially for propelling airplanes and ships