hydrazine

noun

hy·​dra·​zine ˈhī-drə-ˌzēn 

: a colorless fuming corrosive strongly reducing liquid base N₂H₄ used especially in fuels for rocket and jet engines

also : an organic base derived from this compound

Examples of hydrazine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Powered by solar arrays, Hera has a hydrazine propulsion system that propels it to the Didymos system. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024

The eight high-thrust engines burn hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide propellants that combust when making contact with one another. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 Sep. 2024

The three-stage missile burns hypergolic hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide propellants, and is built by the Makeyev Design Bureau. —Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Sep. 2024

To fuel the thrusters, liquid hydrazine is converted into gas and released in about 40 short puffs per day to keep Voyager 1 oriented correctly. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hydrazine

noun

hy·​dra·​zine ˈhī-drə-ˌzēn 

: a colorless fuming liquid used especially in fuels for rocket engines

Medical Definition

hydrazine

noun

hy·​dra·​zine ˈhī-drə-ˌzēn 

: a colorless fuming corrosive strongly reducing liquid base N₂H₄ used in the production of various materials (as pharmaceuticals and plastics)

also : an organic base derived from this compound