propeller

noun

pro·​pel·​ler prə-ˈpe-lər 

variants or less commonly propellor

: one that propels

especially : a device that consists of a central hub with radiating blades placed and twisted so that each forms part of a helical surface and that is used to propel a vehicle (such as a ship or airplane)

Examples of propeller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the Candlewood Lake incident, a 20-year-old woman died after being struck by a boat propeller. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025

That could suggest the propellers might have been running in reverse and pushing the ship toward the bridge faster. —Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 20 May 2025

Then in 2023, an employee’s shirt was sucked into a propeller and shredded during a test flight, according to multiple people, one of whom raised alarms internally. —David Jeans, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

The tip of the right engine propeller blade separated and punctured the plane's fuselage, seriously injuring a passenger, according to the FAA. —Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

propel + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing propeller

• propeller-head
• screw propeller

Rhymes for propeller

• bestseller
• bookseller
• flagellar
• impeller
• lamellar
• micellar
• modeller
• ocellar
• patellar
• reseller
• scutellar
• beller

Kids Definition

propeller

noun

pro·​pel·​ler prə-ˈpel-ər 

: a device consisting of a hub fitted with blades that is made to turn rapidly by an engine and is used especially for propelling airplanes and ships