propellant
Americannoun
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a propelling agent.
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the charge of explosive used to propel the projectile from a gun.
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a substance, usually a mixture of fuel and oxidizer, for propelling a rocket.
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a compressed inert gas that serves to dispense the contents of an aerosol container when the pressure is released.
noun
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something that provides or causes propulsion, such as the explosive charge in a gun or the fuel in a rocket
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the gas used to carry the liquid droplets in an aerosol spray
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of propellant
Explanation
A propellant is a force or substance that drives something else forward. Your model rocket needs a propellant, or a fuel to push it into the air. You might use something as simple as vinegar and baking soda. Space rockets use solid or liquid propellants, or fuel. Propellant derives from the word propel, which means to drive something forward with force. A propellant can be fuel, or the explosive charge that pushes a bullet out of a gun. Gases used to propel can be called "propellant gases" and might be stored in a "propellant tank." Note that some dictionaries accept the variant spelling propellent.
Vocabulary lists containing propellant
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October Sky
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Selection Vocabulary 2, Unit 6
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants by John D. Clark “Ignition!” is another hard-to-get-your-hands-on account of early rocket science.
From Time • Nov. 20, 2015
Propellants, oxygen and other good stuff never seemed limited, or radiation a risk, or Congressional budgets a curse.
From New York Times • Jul. 8, 2011
Propellants and explosives people appeared, waddling in grotesque acid suits.
From If at First You Don't... by Brudy, John
Propellants for Rifled Fire-arms Amide Powder: ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate, charcoal.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
