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Glite Dictionary
multistage rocket

multistage rocket

6.6
A space vehicle with two or more parts that fire and drop as fuel runs out
  • noun
  • /ˈmʌltiˌsteɪdʒ ˈrɒkɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cohete multietapa
  • The picture that came up was of a multistage rocket, the kind that would be overkill if all one needed to do was get a satellite into orbit.

Examples

  • The multistage rocket launched successfully, carrying a satellite into space.

  • NASA developed a multistage rocket to enable deeper exploration of the solar system.

  • During the test flight, the multistage rocket separated flawlessly at each stage of its ascent.

Synonyms

step rocket
vsmultistage rocket
  • Specialized
7.8

A rocket with two or more parts that fire one after another and drop away when empty to reach space

is the preferred technical term instead of the informal variant

Surface Forms

multistage rocket singular
multistage rockets plural

Morphology

multistage + rocket

The meaning is directly compositional: 'multistage' (having multiple stages) combined with 'rocket' yields a rocket that has multiple sequential stages. This formation (multi- + stage + noun) is morphologically transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The name multistage rocket comes from building a rocket in parts called stages: each stage has its own engine and fuel and is dropped when empty, so the rocket becomes 'lighter' as it climbs. That's why a multistage rocket means 'a rocket with two or more sections fired one after the other and dropped', which helps it carry more weight into space.