propulsion

[pruh-puhl-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of propelling.

2. the state of being propelled.

3. a means of propelling; propelling force, impulse, etc.

propulsion

/ prəˈpʌlʃən, prəˈpʌlsɪv /

noun

1. the act of propelling or the state of being propelled

2. a propelling force

Other Word Forms

• propulsive adjective
• propulsory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of propulsion¹

1605–15; < Latin prōpuls ( us ) (past participle of prōpellere to propel ) + -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of propulsion¹

C15: from Latin prōpellere to _propel

Example Sentences

The UK's propulsion test was the result of a three-way collaboration between the UK government, industry and the US government.

From BBC

"Also, when we bring in more software defined, 'smarter' vehicles, the ability to manage fleets remotely will help bring down costs as well. So the revolution will be about propulsion and software."

From BBC

The country becomes just the second after the UK to receive Washington's elite nuclear propulsion technology.

From BBC

This included issues with some of Starliner's thrusters, which would be needed to slow the spacecraft for re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, and leaks of helium gas in the propulsion system.

From BBC

Even though the tails lash back and forth while the rays swim, they are not used for propulsion; similarly, they are not used to kill prey or thwart predators.

From Salon