propulsion

C1 Topic:Transportation
US /prəˈpʌl.ʃən/ UK /prəˈpʌl.ʃən/
noun Freq #16905

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    the action or process of driving something forward

    The squid moves by propulsion, forcing water through a narrow opening.

  2. 2
    noun

    a force, system, or means that makes a vehicle or object move

    The spacecraft uses electric propulsion for long journeys.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · the action or process of... propellingdrivingthrust
2 noun · a force, system, or means... motive forcethrustdrive
Word family
Derived forms propulsivepropulsivelyretropropulsion
Related forms propelimpel

Etymology

Borrowed in the seventeenth century from Medieval Latin propulsio, 'a driving out or urging on,' formed from Latin propellere, 'to push or thrust forward.'

Topics

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