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

Their systems and components contribute to the aircraft’s electric propulsion, avionics, structure, and other functions. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Once in motion, Taylor doesn’t rely on anyone’s propulsion but her own. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

That reduction in propulsion components lowers maintenance costs. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026

However, a potential workaround for this was famously devised in 1994 by physicist Miguel Alcubierre, who argued that rather than using a propulsion system to accelerate the spacecraft itself, spacetime could be distorted around it. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026

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