thruster

noun

thrust·​er ˈthrə-stər How to pronounce thruster (audio)
variants or less commonly thrustor
: one that thrusts
especially : an engine (such as a jet engine) that develops thrust by expelling a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

Examples of thruster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As a result, those satellites lose altitude and have to scramble back using their thrusters or risk an early demise. Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025 The Gateway's maneuvering thrusters weren't designed to keep the station stable with a massive spacecraft like Starship attached to it. ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2025 The boost from the thrusters placed the orbital outpost at the correct altitude for the Soyuz capsule to dock. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 While engineers have focused on fixing the thruster issues, the panel determined in its report that other problems with Starliner also require modification before it can be certified. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thruster

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thruster was in 1597

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Cite this Entry

“Thruster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thruster. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

thruster

noun
thrust·​er ˈthrəs-tər How to pronounce thruster (audio)
: one that thrusts
especially : an engine that produces thrust by discharging a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

More from Merriam-Webster on thruster

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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