hydrazine

noun

hy·​dra·​zine ˈhī-drə-ˌzēn 

: a colorless fuming corrosive strongly reducing liquid base N₂H₄ used especially in fuels for rocket and jet engines

also : an organic base derived from this compound

Examples of hydrazine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Early in May, the vehicle is supposed to ignite its hydrazine thruster to refine the course still further. — IEEE Spectrum, 23 Mar. 2010

Ranger will carry 4,000 kg of hydrazine propellant on board to enable rapid maneuvering. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026

That includes filling it up with about 290 gallons of hydrazine fuel for its trip to Lagrange point 2, a point in space about 1 million miles away that puts the Earth between it and the sun. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026

Some rely on furnaces hotter than 760°C, others on pressures comparable to deep-sea environments, and many involve hazardous compounds such as hydrazine or melamine. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydrazine

• acridine
• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene

Kids Definition

hydrazine

noun

hy·​dra·​zine ˈhī-drə-ˌzēn 

: a colorless fuming liquid used especially in fuels for rocket engines

Medical Definition

hydrazine

noun

hy·​dra·​zine ˈhī-drə-ˌzēn 

: a colorless fuming corrosive strongly reducing liquid base N₂H₄ used in the production of various materials (as pharmaceuticals and plastics)

also : an organic base derived from this compound