I. adjective
or pro·pel·lent -lənt
Etymology: propellant from propel + -ant, adjective suffix; propellent from Latin propellent-, propellens, present participle of propellere to propel
: capable of propelling : used for propelling
propellant fuel for submarines
II. noun
also propellent “
( -s )
1. : something that propels : a driving force or motive : stimulus
2.
a. : an explosive for propelling projectiles
b. : the fuel and oxidizer carried separately or in physical combination which combine chemically to provide rocket propulsion
c. : a gas (as propane, nitrous oxide, nitrogen) placed in a pressure bottle for expelling the contents of the bottle when the pressure is released