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

Its carbon-composite fuselage and empennage components reduce weight while maintaining structural strength, and its enhanced propulsion system has been optimized for long-endurance strike missions. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025

French filmmaker David Moreau’s MadS is in some ways the platonic ideal of the one-shot film, using the lack of cuts to create a sense of propulsion and relentlessness that mirrors its characters’ descent into hell. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025

Bhavya Lal — a Professor of Policy Analysis with RAND School of Public Policy and a former NASA associate administrator for technology, policy, and strategy — recently co-authored a report that tallied government spending on nuclear propulsion and explored why the programs failed. —Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025

Is there a way forward for the 98% of Gen Zers who put self-care, authenticity, and altruism above company success and career propulsion? —Suzy Welch, CNBC, 14 Oct. 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