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propulsion

propulsion

82 6.2
A force that pushes something forward, like an engine or wind
  • noun
  • /prəˈpəlʃən/
translation icon : propulsión
  • Different seat positions alter the athlete's pattern of propulsion and consequently affect his performance.
  • propulsion system
  • jet propulsion
  • wheelchair propulsion

One is the means of propulsion, which is the balloon squeezing the air out.

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Examples

  • The project unveiled the world's first kite propulsion system designed specifically for commercial shipping as well as luxury yachts.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Partly for this reason, the Soviet government pioneered jet propulsion and the development of large, high-speed transport planes.

    Academic text (1990)
  • We have no internal propulsion.

  • Electric propulsion, which is characterized by using very little fuel.

  • Gateway is going to be the most powerful solar electric propulsion vehicle ever built.

  • See the holes in the back for jet propulsion.

  • Can antimatter propulsion break the speed of light barrier?

  • The study of the biomechanics of racing wheelchair propulsion is a fairly new interest.

    Academic text (1990)
  • A successful test of a faster-than-light propulsion system would have incalculable significance for the human race.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The new rocket design will improve the propulsion system significantly, allowing it to reach higher speeds.

Synonyms

push
vspropulsion
138 1.0

A force that moves something away from you

is the broader process of causing forward movement, not only one simple act
motor
vspropulsion
69 6.0

A person, force, or thing that causes action

is the process of moving or pushing forward rather than the agent causing it
thrust
vspropulsion
  • Specialized
56 5.1

The force that moves something forward, like the push from an engine

is the general process of moving something forward rather than specific engine output
driving force
vspropulsion
39 4.1

A force that makes something move forward

is the ongoing action of moving something forward, not only its cause
impetus
vspropulsion
1 7.0

A sudden force that makes something start moving faster

is the continuous action of driving forward rather than a brief initiating force
motive power
vspropulsion
  • Specialized
1 5.5

Energy that makes a machine like a car or train move

is the general forward-driving process rather than the stored energy source
pushing
vspropulsion
1.2

To use force to move something away from you

is the general driving process, not limited to human or close-contact force

Antonyms

resistance
  • Specialized
19 4.2

A force that slows an object's movement, like air or water

10 5.5

A slowing down of speed or rate of change

Compounds

propulsion system
  • Specialized
14 4.4

A group of parts that push a vehicle forward, like an engine

jet propulsion
  • Specialized
1 5.0

A force that moves something forward by forcing out a fast stream of air or water

rocket propulsion
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A way to move a vehicle by pushing out gas very fast so it works in space

nuclear propulsion
  • Specialized
6.1

A system that uses a nuclear reactor to power and move ships or spacecraft

7.1

A machine that pushes a rocket or other spacecraft forward by shooting out fast gases

reaction propulsion
  • Specialized
7.5

A way to move that rockets use by pushing out fast gas so the vehicle moves the other way

How Powerful

jet propulsion
  • Specialized
1 5.0
propulsion
82 6.2
moveless
6.9

Surface Forms

propulsion singular
propulsions plural

Morphology

propulsion = propel (transparent) = propel + sion

Standard nominalization of the verb 'propel' with '-sion', yielding 'the action or process of propelling'.

Etymology

The word propulsion comes from the Latin parts pro- meaning 'forward' and pellere meaning 'to drive'. The same root is in the familiar word propel, so propulsion is the push or force that drives something forward.