propellant

[ pruh-pel-uhnt ]

noun

1. a propelling agent.
2. the charge of explosive used to propel the projectile from a gun.
3. a substance, usually a mixture of fuel and oxidizer, for propelling a rocket.
4. a compressed inert gas that serves to dispense the contents of an aerosol container when the pressure is released.

propellant

/ prəˈpɛlənt /

noun

1. something that provides or causes propulsion, such as the explosive charge in a gun or the fuel in a rocket
2. the gas used to carry the liquid droplets in an aerosol spray

Other Words From

• multi·pro·pellant noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of propellant¹

First recorded in 1915–20; propel + -ant

Related Words

• ammunition
• bomb
• booby trap
• detonator
• dynamite
• gunpowder
• mine
• missile
• munition
• powder