propulsion

American  

[pruh-puhl-shuhn] / prəˈpʌl ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of propelling.

2. the state of being propelled.

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

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propulsion British  

/ prəˈpʌlʃən, prəˈpʌlsɪv /

noun

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

2. a propelling force

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Other Word Forms

• propulsive adjective
• propulsory adjective

Etymology

Origin of propulsion

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

Example Sentences

Satellite images indicate China is researching a nuclear propulsion system for a large warship, analysts say, that would give its aircraft carriers a range and endurance comparable to America’s.

From The Wall Street Journal

In support of future deep space exploration, the agency is advancing nuclear power and propulsion technologies designed to expand mission capabilities and enable travel farther into the solar system.

From Science Daily

GE’s defense and propulsion technologies business accounted for about one-fourth of the company’s total revenue in the third quarter.

From MarketWatch

"It provides the propulsion that Orion needs to get us to the Moon."

From BBC

Electric ships, with simpler propulsion systems, would need less maintenance—meaning less work for wipers.

From The Wall Street Journal