screw propeller

American  

noun

1. a rotary propelling device, as for a ship or airplane, consisting of a number of blades that radiate from a central hub and are so inclined to the plane of rotation as to tend to drive a helical path through the substance in which they rotate.

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screw propeller British  

noun

1. an early form of ship's propeller in which an Archimedes' screw is used to produce thrust by accelerating a flow of water

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Other Word Forms

• screw-propelled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of screw propeller

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The ship sported the newest improvements, including being the first steamship to use a screw propeller and the world’s longest ship’s cannon, called the Peacemaker.

From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2018

A native of Sweden, Mr. Ericsson moved to London and produced one innovation after another, including a screw propeller to replace the paddle wheel on the steam-powered warship.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2011

The United States Navy commissioned a warship, the Princeton, that proved to be one of the most advanced in the world, thanks to a screw propeller and other innovations by Mr. Ericsson.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2011

The multiblade, controllable-pitch screw propeller will be encased in a meticulously designed shroud to reduce noise and allow the boat to sneak up on its prey.

From Time Magazine Archive

The broad part of an oar; also, one of the projecting arms of a screw propeller.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah