How to Use propulsion in a Sentence

propulsion

noun
Definition of propulsionnext
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Those thrusters, part of the spacecraft’s propulsion system, are key to Starliner’s return from the ISS.
    — Michael Sheetz, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2024
  • That’s what’s going to be the future propulsion of the automobile.
    — Sean Gregory, TIME, 24 Nov. 2024
  • Once that’s figured out, the robot adjusts motors in its arms to send the ball into the air at just the right angle and propulsion to score a point, or three.
    — Washington Post, 27 July 2021
  • The vessel is equipped with an electric propulsion system and solar panels on the roof in lieu of a sundeck.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2021
  • For ease of launching and landing, the propulsion system raises up.
    — Nancy Jo Adams, Popular Mechanics, 30 Sep. 2022
  • Indeed, the easiest way to convert someone to wanting an EV is by giving them a short test drive, where the advantages of electric propulsion become apparent.
    — Ars Technica, 10 Jan. 2025
  • While the Starship vehicle is in space, SpaceX will attempt to reignite one of its engines — testing out how the spacecraft might light up its propulsion system more than once on future missions that require more than one engine burn.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN, 15 Jan. 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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