turboprop

American  

[tur-boh-prop] / ˈtɜr boʊˌprɒp /

noun

1. turbo-propeller engine.

2. an airplane equipped with one or more turbo-propeller engines.

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turboprop British  

/ ˌtɜːbəʊˈprɒp /

noun

1. an aircraft propulsion unit where a propeller is driven by a gas turbine

2. an aircraft powered by turboprops

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Etymology

Origin of turboprop

First recorded in 1940–45; turbo- + prop ³

Compare meaning

How does turboprop compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• turboprop vs. turbofan

Example Sentences

The Hercules is a four-engine turboprop plane built by Lockheed Martin.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The Mexican military also prepared a squad of light, turboprop Beechcraft Texan aircraft that are low-cost and effective for counterinsurgency operations of the kind that they expected to encounter with Oseguera’s gunmen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

The P-3 is a modified four-engine turboprop plane used in various research projects, designed for endurance and range, according to NASA.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2025

To help find more pilots this year, Southwest reduced by half the amount of experience prospective pilots needed flying jet or turboprop aircraft.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

I was on watch this morning when a Coast Guard turboprop passed low overhead and circled around and dipped low over us again.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos