propeller

Everyday

A propeller is a set of blades that spin around to push a boat, ship or aircraft forward. tree →

In the lessons

Science (forces): a propeller pushes air or water backwards, so the boat or plane is pushed forwards. Design and technology: children make propeller cars or paper spinners. Safety: never go near a spinning propeller of a boat or drone. Phrases: a ship's propeller, propeller blades, propeller plane.

Examples

• The boat's propeller churned up the water. tree →
• Old planes had a propeller at the front. tree →
• We made a car with an elastic-band propeller. tree →
• Keep your hands away from the drone's propellers. tree →
• The propeller started to spin faster and faster. tree →
• A ship's propeller is under the water at the back. tree →

Note

Spelling: two l's — propeller (also «propellor», rare). It comes from «propel» (to push forward). A helicopter's big blades are usually called «rotors», not propellers.