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Definition of propeller
propeller
/prəˈpɛl.ɚ/
pro · pel · ler
Plural:propellers
propeller Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
propeller Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A mechanical device consisting of a revolving hub with radiating blades that produces thrust to drive a vehicle, such as a ship or aircraft.
Example
"The pilot started the engine, and the propeller began to spin rapidly, creating a strong gust of wind on the tarmac."
2
Any person, object, or force that drives something forward or motivates progress.
Example
"The discovery of oil served as the primary propeller of economic growth in the region."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for propeller Antonyms
View all antonyms for propeller• Rhymes for propeller
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Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 19th century: from the verb 'propel' + the agent suffix '-er'. The root verb derives from Latin 'propellere', meaning 'to drive forward'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Propeller. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 20, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/propeller