self-propelled

Sometimes self-pro·pel·ling

[self-pruh-peld, self-]

adjective

1. propelled by itself.

2. (of a vehicle) propelled by its own engine, motor, or the like, rather than drawn or pushed by a horse, locomotive, etc.

3. (of a gun or a rocket launcher) having a vehicle as a base.

self-propelled

adjective

1. (of a vehicle) provided with its own source of tractive power rather than requiring an external means of propulsion

Other Word Forms

• self-propelling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-propelled¹

First recorded in 1895–1900