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

Energy is supplemented by two propeller shafts, acting as hydro turbines, while reverse osmosis and a pellet boiler (complete with recycled wooden waste pellets) generate fresh water and heat, respectively. —Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

At Clemson University, mechanical engineering professor Phanindra Tallapragada and his team are building robots that rely on centripetal force rather than complex joints, legs, or propellers. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026

Eldridge and Kubler took an identical boat with a 25-horsepower Evinrude e-Tec propeller-drive outboard. —Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026

Unveiled this week at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, the Rictor X4 is a single-passenger eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft driven by eight motor/propeller units mounted on four arms. —New Atlas, 8 Jan. 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