Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

propulsion

/pɹəˈpʌlʃən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.46 in modern English

Syllables: propul-sion
IPA: /pɹəˈpʌlʃən/

14

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The process of propelling, driving, or pushing, typically forward or onward; a propulsive force or impulse.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

That which propels.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"However, nuclear propulsion provides a very high specific impulse and consistent, long duration energy source."
"This propulsion provides an initial velocity for the vehicle in a short time span."
"Solar-electric propulsion accelerates a spacecraft by means of a low-thrust ion jet."

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin propulsio, propulsionis, from the past participle of Latin propello (“to drive forward, drive forth, drive away, drive out”).

Origin

Source language: Latin

Word Breakdown

Root: propulsio, propello

Usage

Inflected Forms

propulsions (plural)

Derived Forms

nonpropulsion overpropulsion propulsionless retropropulsion

Phrases

astronaut propulsion unit gravitational propulsion jet propulsion

Frequently Paired Words

propel

Synonyms

actuation

Rhymes With

expulsion compulsion emulsion revulsion convulsion

Questions

How do you pronounce propulsion?: The recorded pronunciation is /pɹəˈpʌlʃən/.
What does propulsion mean?: The process of propelling, driving, or pushing, typically forward or onward; a propulsive force or impulse.
Where does propulsion come from?: It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce propulsion

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “propulsion”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/pɹəˈpʌlʃən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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