propellent

[pruh-pel-uhnt]

adjective

1. serving or tending to propel or drive forward.

noun

1. a propellant.

propellent

/ prəˈpɛlənt /

adjective

1. able or tending to propel

Other Word Forms

• nonpropellent adjective
• unpropellent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of propellent¹

1635–45; < Latin prōpellent- (stem of prōpellēns ), present participle of prōpellere to drive forward. See propel, -ent

Example Sentences

Jenzen-Jones said the most likely explanation would be a failed militant rocket that was still full of highly flammable propellent, which resulted in the fireball seen in the balcony video.

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Authorities say the gas can still be used for medical purposes, as an anaesthetic, and in the food industry - as a propellent for making whipped cream.

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It’s what spurs ideas of mining the moon or Mars for elements that could make rocket propellent, which would allow for more exploration without lugging additional fuel.

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The previous launch attempts were plagued by leaks of the super-cold liquid propellents when they were being pumped into the vehicle's tanks.

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Starting in 2011, he used the site as a major propellent for the racist “birther” claim that former president Barack Obama was born in Kenya.

Read more on Washington Post