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 Vinci engine was unable to restart because the APU wasn't operating to properly condition the rocket's propellant tanks. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 10 July 2024

The rest of the booster, including the main airframe and propellant tanks, will still be expended. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 June 2024

Noun

But the company said later the failure was the result of a liquid oxygen propellant leak and that the stage survived the aborted engine firing. —William Harwood, CBS News, 12 July 2024

Such a landing would be both stunning visually, as well as a calculated risk to SpaceX's launch tower infrastructure, as the booster likely would be landing with a few spare tons of methane and liquid oxygen propellant in its tanks. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 5 July 2024

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

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