Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Tending to or capable of causing forward motion: Describes something that has the power or function to drive, push, or thrust an object forward.
   • Relating to or providing propulsion: Pertaining to the force that moves something ahead.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The propelling force of the rocket engines was immense.
  • He studied the propelling mechanism of the ancient ship.
  • A strong, propelling wind filled the sails.

Advanced Usage

• "self-propelling": Capable of moving forward under its own power.
  • The new lawnmower is a self-propelling model, making it much easier to use.

Variants and Related Words

• Propellant (noun/adj): A substance that propels something; having the quality of driving forward.
  • The canister contains a propellant gas.
• Propulsion (noun): The action of driving or pushing forward.
  • Jet propulsion is based on Newton's third law of motion.
• Propulsive (adj): Having the power to propel; relating to propulsion.
  • The propulsive efficiency of the engine was calculated.

Synonyms

• Driving: Exerting force to cause movement.
• Thrusting: Pushing or driving with force.
• Impelling: Driving, urging, or forcing into motion.

Related Phrases

• Propelling pencil: (noun) A mechanical pencil that advances the lead by a mechanism, not by sharpening.
  • She always writes with a reliable propelling pencil.

Notes on Meaning

• The adjective propelling is often used in technical, mechanical, or scientific contexts to describe forces, devices, or energy that cause movement.
• It can also be used in a more figurative sense to describe an abstract force that drives progress or action (e.g., ), though this is less common for the adjective form and more typical for the verb propel.

Adjective

1. tending to or capable of propelling
   • propellant fuel for submarines
   • the faster a jet plane goes the greater its propulsive efficiency
   • universities...the seats of propulsive thought