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

It said this would include Project Brakestop, a government programme to develop low-cost cruise missiles - self-propelled guided weapons which fly like normal aircraft for much of their flight.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

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

According to the researchers, these spinning crystals represent the first known example of a self-propelled metallic nanoparticle in biology.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 19, 2026

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

Jeks on self-propelled cargo lifts jockeyed among us, scooping up the loads as we unhooked the slings, bringing cases of machinery from their own ship.

From The Stoker and the Stars by Dongen, H. R. van