View synonyms for propellant

propellant

[ pruh-pel-uhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

propellant

/ prəˈpɛlənt /

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

First recorded in 1915–20; propel + -ant

And the solid rocket propellant would not blow up in one explosion since it cannot do that without an oxidizer.

For instance, the one which drives the shell from the gun, known as the propellant, must not be too sudden in its action.

Clearly, smoke, which is most objectionable in the propellant, is a positive advantage in the bursting charge.

It is desired that a propellant shall produce the maximum velocity with the minimum pressure.

Gunpowder is an explosive propellant compound, consisting of saltpetre or nitre, charcoal, and sulphur.

In army usage the term "propellant" includes both smokeless powder and black powder.

Browse