thruster

noun

thrust·​er ˈthrə-stər How to pronounce thruster (audio)
variants or less commonly thrustor
: one that thrusts
especially : an engine (such as a jet engine) that develops thrust by expelling a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

Examples of thruster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The craft, meant to one day shuttle astronauts back and forth from orbit, experienced helium leaks and thruster failures during its flight. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024 The initial launch was delayed several times due to thruster failures and helium leaks. Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024 Ironically, the trajectory correction maneuver thruster system was given the job in 2018 when the attitude propulsion thrusters were clogging. David Szondy, New Atlas, 15 Sep. 2024 Five of the capsule’s 28 thrusters failed to function before docking with the ISS. Fernanda González, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for thruster 

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thruster was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near thruster

Cite this Entry

“Thruster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thruster. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

thruster

noun
thrust·​er ˈthrəs-tər How to pronounce thruster (audio)
: one that thrusts
especially : an engine that produces thrust by discharging a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

More from Merriam-Webster on thruster

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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