How to Use propulsion in a Sentence

propulsion

noun
  • Sailboats use wind as their source of propulsion.
  • Like the yacht itself, the propulsion system is a bit of a mix.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2023
  • To see what she’s been up to, the propulsion, the expansion . . .
    — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2024
  • The biggest change in the rocket is its first-stage propulsion.
    — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 20 May 2022
  • As for propulsion, the vessel will have a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2021
  • The trick to extending the range of any air-to-air missile is its propulsion.
    — David Axe, Forbes, 21 May 2021
  • The propulsion force is determined by the amount of mass that the propellers move.
    — Harry Guinness, Popular Science, 8 June 2023
  • The propulsion returns at the end, but viewers have to get there to enjoy it.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2022
  • There are five different speeds to choose from, and the speed of the propulsion can be adjusted with a lever on the left side of the handle.
    — Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2023
  • So, the only choice buyers had to make was between the two propulsion systems.
    — Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 26 May 2023
  • Should the problem arise while the EV is being driven, that could lead to a complete loss of propulsion.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 14 June 2022
  • These new 496-foot frigates will be built out of steel and use propeller propulsion.
    — Andrew Dyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2021
  • The new report also takes issue with the fees awarded as part of the propulsion contracts.
    — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 25 May 2023
  • However, to get to space, a spacecraft needs propulsion to get past the Karman Line.
    — Krystal Hur, WSJ, 16 July 2021
  • The heel is beveled to promote propulsion and decrease fatigue.
    — Brett Williams, Men's Health, 20 Dec. 2022
  • During the countdown the next day, 13 valves used in Starliner’s propulsion system failed to open, and the launch was called off.
    — New York Times, 13 Aug. 2021
  • Knowing the outcome doesn’t slow the forward propulsion of Montville’s account one bit.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 9 July 2021
  • Hence, ‘Oumuamua was pushed by sunlight not for the purpose of propulsion but as a byproduct of its thin flat shape.
    — Avi Loeb, Scientific American, 22 June 2021
  • The second mission will also head to the Moon’s south pole in the search for water ice that could be used for life support and propulsion.
    — Michael Kan, PCMAG, 26 Mar. 2024
  • The Approach All of these methods of propulsion can work (check your regs before using the outboard).
    — Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 1 June 2023
  • The firm sole is offset nicely by the squishy, cushioned insole, to give great bounce and forward propulsion from step to step.
    — Samson McDougall, Health, 4 Aug. 2023
  • The mission team soon determined the problem came from a fuel leak in the propulsion system.
    — Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2024
  • There are two types of nuclear propulsion, and both have their merits.
    — Eva Botkin-Kowacki, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2023
  • The ships will need large reservoirs of fuel for propulsion, combat systems, and radar.
    — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 12 Sep. 2022
  • The crew was able to regain power again but unable to regain propulsion, the report said.
    — Sam Sweeney, ABC News, 14 May 2024
  • The pilot orders a sharper turn to the left, but the main engine is shut down and there is no propulsion to power the maneuver.
    — Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2024
  • Still bereft of propulsion, the ship was converted into a coal barge, a supply ship for a doomed flotilla.
    — David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 25 June 2023
  • Learn about friction, force, motion and propulsion techniques to make your car move.
    — Anchorage Daily News, 21 Apr. 2021
  • That includes redesigns to the vehicle's forward flaps, propulsion system and avionics.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • When Finlay largely disappears in season two, the series loses its propulsion, because without him as a foil, as an embodiment of the other, Reacher doesn’t have a character to define himself against.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'propulsion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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