retrorocket

American  

[re-troh-rok-it] / ˈrɛ troʊˌrɒk ɪt /

Or retro-rocket

noun

1. a small, auxiliary rocket engine, forming a part of a larger rocket vehicle and having its exhaust nozzle pointed toward the direction of flight, for decelerating the larger rocket, separating one stage from another, etc.

---

retrorocket British  

/ ˈrɛtrəʊˌrɒkɪt /

noun

1. Often shortened to: retro.  a small auxiliary rocket engine on a larger rocket, missile, or spacecraft, that produces thrust in the opposite direction to the direction of flight in order to decelerate the vehicle or make it move backwards

---

Etymology

Origin of retrorocket

First recorded in 1945–50; retro- + rocket ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

retrorocket

The quick blast of a retrorocket slowed its speed of descent.

From Time Magazine Archive

Both a parachute and a retrorocket will slow its plunge, and an array of airbags will inflate to cushion the shock of landing.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dejectedly, some JPL scientists suggested that it would be best to fire Surveyor's retrorocket immediately, placing the craft in high earth orbit.

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week the Department of Defense explained that the retrorocket had probably fired when it was pointing in the wrong direction.

From Time Magazine Archive

Western experts speculated that whatever went wrong with Soyuz 11 occurred either during or soon after the firing of its retrorocket.

From Time Magazine Archive