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 threat is compounded by the Geran-5’s low-altitude flight profile, which makes radar detection difficult, and by the relative acoustic subtlety of small turbojets compared to propeller engines. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026

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

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