noun
propellant
noun
1
A substance burned or released to generate the force that drives something forward, such as fuel in a rocket engine or gas in an aerosol can.
"The rocket's propellant burns off within the first two minutes of launch."
"The spray can uses a compressed-gas propellant to push out the paint."
2
The explosive charge inside an ammunition cartridge that fires the bullet.
"Gunpowder is the traditional propellant used in cartridges."
How to Use Propellant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe fuel or gas that pushes something forward or out — used for rockets, aerosol cans, and bullets.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "propellant" (noun) and "propellent" (older adjective spelling) — modern usage treats propellant as standard for both.
Common pairings
rocket propellant
aerosol propellant
propellant tank
Word Forms
propellants plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “propellant”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The rocket's _____ burns off within the first two minutes of launch.
Etymology
From propel + the suffix -ant, which turns a verb into "the thing that does the action" — so a propellant is literally "that which propels."