propellant

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​pel·​lant prə-ˈpe-lənt How to pronounce propellant (audio)
variants or less commonly propellent
: capable of propelling

propellant

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly propellent
: something that propels: such as
a
: an explosive for propelling projectiles
b
: fuel plus oxidizer used by a rocket engine
c
: a gas kept under pressure in a bottle or can for expelling the contents when the pressure is released

Examples of propellant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The flight program could potentially even include docking two Starships in orbit to demonstrate propellant transfer, and even an uncrewed demo of the Starship Human Landing System, a lunar variant of Starship, that is to be used for NASA's Artemis 3 mission in mid-2027. Andrew Jones, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025 Space One's Kairos rocket features three solid-fuel stages and a liquid propellant upper stage. Brett Tingley, Space.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
SpaceX launched its first Starship test flight in April 2023, but the vehicle encountered issues only 24 miles above the Gulf of Mexico when leaking propellant caused a fire in the Super Heavy booster, according to a story in Florida Today. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Nov. 2024 Such a maneuver will be necessary to give the massive vehicle enough propellant to make the journey out to the moon. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for propellant 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin prōpellent-, prōpellens, present participle of prōpellere "to push or thrust forward, compel to go onward" — more at propel

Noun

in part noun derivative of propellant entry 1, in part from propel + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of propellant was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near propellant

Cite this Entry

“Propellant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propellant. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

propellant

noun
pro·​pel·​lant
variants also propellent
prə-ˈpel-ənt
: something that propels: as
a
: fuel plus a chemical to supply oxygen used by a rocket engine
b
: a gas under pressure in a can for expelling the contents when the pressure is released
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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