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

The team also trimmed the propeller blades from seven by five inches to roughly six inches to improve efficiency at high RPM. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 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

But Leyenberger said the ship's propeller was damaged before the scheduled voyage. —Arkansas Online, 31 Dec. 2025

When the wind is insufficient, propulsion will come from two retractable electric-drive propellers that draw power from the 580 kWh battery bank. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 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