propellant

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​pel·​lant prə-ˈpe-lənt 

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

Adjective

The key to the major progress needed in the next 18 months, however, is flying Starship regularly and demonstrating on-orbit docking and propellant transfer. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 5 May 2026

Unlike the side boosters, which had propellant reserves for landing, the core stage burned all of its fuel as planned and was then jettisoned to crash into the Atlantic Ocean. —William Harwood, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026

Noun

The best practice for modern launches is to reserve some propellant in a rocket’s upper stage to dispose of it. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026

This is especially important for its use as the Artemis moon lander; experts have estimated that each lunar Starship mission could require a dozen or more refueling launches to adequately supply enough propellant to get to the moon, land and launch back to lunar orbit. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 May 2026

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

Rhymes for propellant

• appellant
• libellant
• repellant
• repellent

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