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

Video taken by passenger Brett Fillipi showed the single engine propeller plane bouncing to a stop in a mountain meadow with its nose slamming into the ground. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

The tarpaulin draped over a ship propeller brings to mind dirty laundry slung over the blades of an idle fan. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 23 June 2026

Cavitation also limits the speed of modern metal ship propellers powered by large internal combustion engines. — Literary Hub, 22 June 2026

According to air show organizers, the Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft, meaning its propellers can rotate vertically or horizontally. — Nick Lentz, CBS News, 21 June 2026

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