self-propelled

American  

[self-pruh-peld, self-] / ˈsɛlf prəˈpɛld, ˌsɛlf- /

Sometimes self-propelling

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.

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self-propelled British  

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• self-propelling
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-propelled

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-propelled

This is compared with popular self-propelled howitzers, which can move out of position quickly and where operators have the protection of an armored vehicle.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

But instead of dismantling it, engineers are moving it in one piece, supported by steel beams and carried on self-propelled modular transporters.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2025

During the day, Zelenskyy was due to visit the Nexter arms manufacturer in Versailles, which makes the Caesar self-propelled howitzers that are among the weapons provided by France to Kyiv’s forces.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 7, 2024

To the layman, a self-propelled howitzer looks like a tank, but it has a bigger, 155mm gun to fire at longer range.

From Salon ● May 19, 2024

Or had a great bomb, as large as an oversized meteor, come self-propelled from space, to bury itself deep in that ancient world?

From Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun