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
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
And then there is the intricate tubing that provides gas and liquids to fill not just the rocket’s propellant tanks but also smaller pressurized vessels throughout the vehicle for various purposes.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Mike Wall, Space.com, 17 June 2026
Beyond storing propellant, the structure also serves a dual purpose as a load-bearing component of the spacecraft, effectively becoming part of the vehicle’s frame and improving overall mass efficiency.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for propellant
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Adjective
Even if a can doesn’t burst, heat can degrade the propellant and active ingredients, reducing their effectiveness or altering their composition.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2026
And then there is the intricate tubing that provides gas and liquids to fill not just the rocket’s propellant tanks but also smaller pressurized vessels throughout the vehicle for various purposes.
—Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
Noun
The Ariane 6 got some extra oomph on this flight from four strap-on, solid-propellant P160C boosters.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 17 June 2026
Beyond storing propellant, the structure also serves a dual purpose as a load-bearing component of the spacecraft, effectively becoming part of the vehicle’s frame and improving overall mass efficiency.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for propellant
Cite this Entry
“Propellant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propellant. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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