propeller

American  

[pruh-pel-er] / prəˈpɛl ər /

noun

1. a device having a revolving hub with radiating blades, for propelling an airplane, ship, etc.

2. a person or thing that propels.

3. the bladed rotor of a pump that drives the fluid axially.

4. a wind-driven, usually three-bladed, device that provides mechanical energy, as for driving an electric alternator in wind plants.

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propeller British  

/ prəˈpɛlə /

noun

1. a device having blades radiating from a central hub that is rotated to produce thrust to propel a ship, aircraft, etc

2. a person or thing that propels

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propeller Scientific  

/ prə-pĕl′ər /

1. A device consisting of a set of two or more twisted, airfoil-shaped blades mounted around a shaft and spun to provide propulsion of a vehicle through water or air, or to cause fluid flow, as in a pump. The lift generated by the spinning blades provides the force that propels the vehicle or the fluid—the lift does not have to result in an actual upward force; its direction is simply parallel to the rotating shaft.

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Etymology

Origin of propeller

First recorded in 1770–80; propel + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Space Force Capt. Gordon McCulloh was sitting in a military propeller plane high in the calm, dark sky over New Mexico on a recent Wednesday night when his squadron’s group chat blew up.

From The Wall Street Journal

A worker in white gloves inspects the propellers of a boxy two-seater aircraft fresh off the assembly line at a Chinese factory trialling the mass production of flying cars.

From Barron's

Notably, the spokesperson ruled out the use of nets to intercept boats, which Le Monde has previously reported could be used to snarl the propellers of the boats.

From BBC

Some believed that propellers were the future not just of flight, but of cars and trains.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company’s experimental Jäger—German for “Hunter”—interceptor takes off vertically using propellers, then a solid-fuel rocket shoots it up 15,000 feet in 5 seconds before electric motors take over again.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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