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
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2026
During the ramp up to the rocket's maiden flight in 2022, engineers ran into multiple propellant leaks and other problems that ended up delaying an unpiloted test flight by more than six months.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
In the campaign leading up to launch, engineers ran into a variety of problems ranging from fuel leaks to unexpected propellant flow behavior in the launch pad's plumbing.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propellant
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Adjective
This will occur over a series of different propellant loading milestones to fill, top off, and replenish the tanks.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2026
During the ramp up to the rocket's maiden flight in 2022, engineers ran into multiple propellant leaks and other problems that ended up delaying an unpiloted test flight by more than six months.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
The issue arose while fueling the vehicle with 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant that were later drained.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
In the campaign leading up to launch, engineers ran into a variety of problems ranging from fuel leaks to unexpected propellant flow behavior in the launch pad's plumbing.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for propellant
Cite this Entry
“Propellant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/propellant. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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