Word
Definition
n. a device with spinning blades that pushes a boat or airplane through the water or air.
n. a mechanical device consisting of a hub with radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical surface. It produces thrust by rotating in a fluid medium such as air or water.
Examples
“The boat's propeller started spinning as we left the dock.”
“The pilot checked the propeller for any cracks or damage before starting the engine for takeoff.”
“Advanced submarine designs often feature multi-bladed propellers engineered to minimize cavitation, thereby reducing the acoustic signature of the vessel during stealth operations.”
Examples
simple
“The boat's propeller started spinning as we left the dock.”
contextual
“The pilot checked the propeller for any cracks or damage before starting the engine for takeoff.”
complex
“Advanced submarine designs often feature multi-bladed propellers engineered to minimize cavitation, thereby reducing the acoustic signature of the vessel during stealth operations.”
Usage
Commonly refers to the external propulsion component of ships or aircraft.
Real-World Examples
“You could see the men jumping from the stern, and you could see the four propellers still turning.” Etymology
From propel + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/propeller
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR