ENGLISH
REFERENCE

propulsion

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //pɹəˈpəɫʃən// UK //pɹəpˈʌlʃən// propul·sion

n. the force that pushes or moves an object forward. You often hear this word when people talk about how boats, planes, or rockets move.

n. the action of driving or pushing forward an object; the force that creates such motion. Often used in technical contexts to describe mechanical or biological systems of movement.


SIMPLE

The rocket uses liquid fuel for propulsion.

CONTEXTUAL

Engineers are developing a new type of electric propulsion to make air travel more sustainable and quiet.

COMPLEX

While traditional ships rely on propellers, some marine animals use jet propulsion by rapidly expelling water to achieve high speeds in short bursts.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Medieval Latin propulsio, propulsionis, from the past participle of Latin propello (“to drive forward, drive forth, drive away, drive out”).

Usage

Often paired with 'of' ('the propulsion of') or used as a modifier ('propulsion system').

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