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propulsion system

propulsion system

14 4.4
A group of parts that push a vehicle forward, like an engine
  • noun
  • /prəˈpʌlʃən ˈsɪstəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sistema de propulsión
  • The rocket's propulsion system was designed to launch it into space.
  • rocket propulsion system
  • electric propulsion system
  • advanced propulsion system

You know, The thing is, what is a gravitic propulsion system?

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Examples

  • The submarine's propulsion system allows it to move silently underwater.

  • But now what we've done here is we've shown the choice of propulsion system is critical.

  • All right, first, we must charge the propulsion system.

  • What about the propulsion system?

  • Now, this propulsion system is much more powerful, so it should be even harder to enter that state.

  • We used his propulsion system in the space shuttle.

  • The propulsion system's not responding.

  • Last week I saw a lot of headlines about a space propulsion system that uses nuclear fusion.

  • "The construction of the propulsion system is proceeding on schedule?"

    Fiction book (2001)
  • When renewable ethanol is combined with a fuel cell propulsion system, greenhouse gas emissions approach zero.

    Academic text (2003)

Antonyms

brake system
  • Specialized
1 2.7

A set of parts that make a vehicle like a car slow down or stop when you press the pedal

How Powerful

rocket propulsion
  • Specialized
1 5.4
jet propulsion
  • Specialized
1 5.0
propulsion system
  • Specialized
14 4.4
internal combustion
  • Specialized
12 4.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

propulsion + system

The meaning 'a system that provides the force or thrust to move a vehicle' is directly and compositionally derived from 'propulsion' (force that drives something forward) + 'system' (a collection of interacting components). This noun + noun construction is a straightforward descriptive pattern found across languages, so a learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Propulsion system comes from a simple picture: propulsion means pushing and a system is a group of parts working together. Imagine a boat's oars or a rocket engine pushing a vehicle forward — the parts that do the pushing are the 'propulsion system', so the phrase means the parts that give the 'force' to 'move something forward'.