thruster

noun

thrust·​er ˈthrə-stər 

variants or less commonly thrustor

: one that thrusts

especially : an engine (such as a jet engine) that develops thrust by expelling a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

Examples of thruster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The next Starliner test flight would seek to confirm that the spacecraft's thrusters function properly after modifications were made to the vehicle's propulsion system, according to Stich. —Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025

But during the docking process, several thrusters on the spacecraft’s service module, which are used to move the capsule around in orbit, malfunctioned. —NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025

Finally happy with the terrain below, Blue Ghost's computer sent the command for landing, powered by eight thrusters pulsing in rapid succession to control the craft's descent rate. —Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025

Once separated from the rocket, the Dragon Endurance used its own thrusters to autonomously power on to the space station. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thruster

• bluster
• buster
• cluster
• duster
• juster
• luster
• lustre
• muster
• trustor
• adjuster
• baluster
• blockbuster

Kids Definition

thruster

noun

thrust·​er ˈthrəs-tər 

: one that thrusts

especially : an engine that produces thrust by discharging a jet of fluid or a stream of particles