propellant

1 of 2

adjective

pro·​pel·​lant prə-ˈpe-lənt How to pronounce propellant (audio)
variants or less commonly propellent
: capable of propelling

propellant

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly propellent
: something that propels: such as
a
: an explosive for propelling projectiles
b
: fuel plus oxidizer used by a rocket engine
c
: a gas kept under pressure in a bottle or can for expelling the contents when the pressure is released

Examples of propellant 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.
Adjective
Recommended by Our Editors His presentation also teased next-generation Starship vehicles that’ll be taller and feature other improvements, including more propellant capacity. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025 Higher-than-expected vibrations stressed hardware in the ship's propulsion system, triggering propellant leaks and sustained fires until the test flight ended prematurely. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
According to SpaceX, the cause of the seventh flight’s failure was stronger-than-expected rhythmic oscillations, causing leaks of propellant that caught fire. Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 4 July 2025 The sudden explosion, fueled by ignition of methane propellant, created a huge fireball, billowing clouds of smoke and brilliant arcs of flaming debris shooting out like burning chunks of lava in a volcanic eruption. William Harwood, CBS News, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for propellant

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin prōpellent-, prōpellens, present participle of prōpellere "to push or thrust forward, compel to go onward" — more at propel

Noun

in part noun derivative of propellant entry 1, in part from propel + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1644, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of propellant was in 1644

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Propellant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propellant. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

propellant

noun
pro·​pel·​lant
variants also propellent
prə-ˈpel-ənt
: something that propels: as
a
: fuel plus a chemical to supply oxygen used by a rocket engine
b
: a gas under pressure in a can for expelling the contents when the pressure is released
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!