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.

---

self-propelled British  

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

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

It was not that his life was wrong, or that an abjuration was needed; it was still to be lived, and lived more intently, but no longer merely self-propelled.

From Watersprings by Benson, Arthur Christopher