self-propelled

American

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

Sometimes self-propelling

adjective

propelled by itself.
(of a vehicle) propelled by its own engine, motor, or the like, rather than drawn or pushed by a horse, locomotive, etc.
(of a gun or a rocket launcher) having a vehicle as a base.

self-propelled British

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

self-propelling

adjective

Etymology

Origin of self-propelled

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At home the 11-year-old uses an NHS manual self propelled chair.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

Hollow sinkers could have evolved into the first floaters, and self propelled floaters into the first hunters.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023