verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of propel
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English propellen “to expel,” from Latin prōpellere “to drive forward,” from prō- pro- 1 + pellere “to drive, push, strike”
Explanation
To propel is to push or drive forward, like a sheep dog nipping at the heels of his flock to keep them moving. When you hear the verb propel, imagine the propeller on an airplane — that spinning thing on the front that pulls the plane forward. Or maybe think of the old proverb that goes, “Our passions are the winds that propel our vessel. Our reason is the pilot that steers her. Without winds the vessel would not move and without a pilot she would be lost.”
Vocabulary lists containing propel
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto
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Maniac Magee
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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.
Wednesday's meetings with von der Leyen and European Council head Antonio Costa will look to propel the work forward -- as Brussels lays out the changes it expects Magyar to make.
From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026
Gains for semis have largely helped propel major indexes higher over the past month.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
Athletic shoe titans Adidas and Nike have been in a decade-long competition to develop a shoe that would propel a runner 26.2 miles in under two hours.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026
On X, he has mused about establishing a lunar base that could construct AI satellites and propel them into space.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
“Don't know, boss,” the man says, spinning on himself to propel additional flyers into the hands of the rushing masses, none of whom appear to be stopping.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
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.
