PROPELLER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does propeller mean? 

• PROPELLER (noun)
  The noun PROPELLER has 1 sense:

1. a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water

  Familiarity information: PROPELLER used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROPELLER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

propeller; propellor

Hypernyms ("propeller" is a kind of...):

mechanical device (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)

Meronyms (parts of "propeller"):

blade; vane (flat surface that rotates and pushes against air or water)

hub (the central part of a car wheel (or fan or propeller etc) through which the shaft or axle passes)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "propeller"):

airplane propeller; airscrew; prop (a propeller that rotates to push against air)

screw; screw propeller (a propeller with several angled blades that rotates to push against water or air)

variable-pitch propeller (propeller for which the angle of the blades is adjustable)

Derivation:

propel (cause to move forward with force)

 Context examples 

Day and night the ship throbbed to the tireless pulse of the propeller, and though one day was very like another, it was apparent to Buck that the weather was steadily growing colder.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

The hydrophone also picked up sound from ship propellers.

(Seven miles deep, the ocean is still a noisy place, NOAA)

But Brissenden, breathing painfully, had dropped off to sleep, his chin buried in a scarf and resting on his sunken chest, his body wrapped in the long overcoat and shaking to the vibration of the propellers.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

At last, one morning, the propeller was quiet, and the Narwhal was pervaded with an atmosphere of excitement.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)