propulsion

noun

pro·​pul·​sion prə-ˈpəl-shən 

1

: the action or process of propelling

2

: something that propels

Examples of propulsion in a Sentence

Sailboats use wind as their source of propulsion.

Recent Examples on the Web

The drive units are also much improved and the whole propulsion system is more efficient now. —Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

The Mavericks won the flip, earning the 0.1% advantage that incredibly resulted in their propulsion to the top of the order for the June 25 draft in New York. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025

Before aerobraking, the spacecraft’s onboard propulsion system thrusts in the opposite direction of the GEO orbit’s motion. —Piyush Mehta, The Conversation, 7 May 2025

The other is a cruiser that can sustain itself in hypersonic flight using exotic propulsion, such as scramjet engines. —ArsTechnica, 6 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin prōpulsiōn-, prōpulsiō "action of driving out or urging on," derivative, with the suffix of verbal action -tiōn-, -tiō, of Latin propellere "to push or thrust forward, compel to go onward" (with -s- from past participle and verbal noun prōpulsus) — more at propel

First Known Use

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing propulsion

• jet propulsion
• self-propulsion

Rhymes for propulsion

• avulsion
• compulsion
• convulsion
• emulsion
• expulsion
• impulsion
• repulsion
• revulsion
• microemulsion

Kids Definition

propulsion

noun

pro·​pul·​sion prə-ˈpəl-shən 

1

: the action or process of propelling

2

: something that propels

propulsive

-ˈpəl-siv

adjective