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Glite Dictionary
screw propeller

screw propeller

5.3
A device with angled blades that turns to push a boat or plane forward
  • noun
  • /skruː prəˈpɛlər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hélice de tornillo
  • He explained how the design of the screw propeller allows boats to move forward with minimal resistance.

Examples

  • The ship's speed increased as the screw propeller rotated efficiently through the water.

  • The first use of the engine was to haul dredges to the surface, and soon a "screw" (propeller) was added to propel the vessels.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Many modern vessels rely on screw propellers for their ability to provide powerful thrust across various water conditions.

Synonyms

propeller
vsscrew propeller
46 3.9

A set of blades that spin to push a boat or plane forward

is a specific variety of that device focusing on blade angle
prop
vsscrew propeller
16 4.6

A part with blades that turns to push a plane or boat forward

is the fuller technical term rather than the shortened informal name
screw
vsscrew propeller
  • Specialized
8 5.1

A rotating blade that pushes water or air, like on a ship

is the named subtype of that device defined by blade arrangement
propellor
vsscrew propeller
  • UK
4.8

A machine with blades that turns to push a plane or boat forward

is the standard spelling rather than the alternate written form

Surface Forms

screw propeller singular
screw propellers plural

Morphology

screw + propeller

The noun is compositional: 'screw' (here meaning a helical/rotating element) + 'propeller' (a device with blades producing thrust) directly describes a propeller shaped/acting like a screw. While the nautical/technical sense of 'screw' is specialized, the overall meaning is literal and predictable from the constituents, so a learner who knows both words will readily infer the sense.

Etymology

Screw propeller gets its name from its spiral look: the blades form a spiral like a screw, and when they turn they seem to 'screw' through the water. That's why the term describes a propeller that 'moves forward' a ship by turning.