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
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 29 Aug. 2025
SpaceX pulled off the maneuver for the first time during the May flight test, which requires less propellant to be held in reserve and enables the rocket to carry a heavier payload.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
James Powel, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Combining aspects of jet and rocket propulsion, the engine pulls oxygen out of the air at lower atmospheric levels to reduce the need to carry propellant, resulting in a much lighter, more efficient aircraft.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propellant
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Adjective
The thrusters have their own dedicated propellant tanks and will operate independently of 16 other Draco thrusters used to maneuver Dragon on its journey to the ISS.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 29 Aug. 2025
SpaceX pulled off the maneuver for the first time during the May flight test, which requires less propellant to be held in reserve and enables the rocket to carry a heavier payload.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
The rocket was filled with millions of pounds of propellant and set to launch when SpaceX, around 8:00 p.m. ET, opted to call off the day's launch and turn the operation into a launch rehearsal, considering the weather forecast would remain unfavorable throughout the launch window.
—James Powel, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Combining aspects of jet and rocket propulsion, the engine pulls oxygen out of the air at lower atmospheric levels to reduce the need to carry propellant, resulting in a much lighter, more efficient aircraft.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for propellant
Cite this Entry
“Propellant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propellant. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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