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

Most are eVTOL aircraft, powered by propellers and designed to move people or cargo above congested roads with far less ground infrastructure than traditional aviation requires. —Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Once entangled, the propellers lose mobility, causing the UAV to fall from the sky. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026

They are lacerated by propellers. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, New Yorker, 2 May 2026

On a tour of the ship’s engine room, he was riveted by a mechanism automatically recording the movements of the ship’s propeller. —Alison J. Stein, thehustle.co, 1 May 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