thruster

noun

thrust·​er ˈthrə-stər How to pronounce thruster (audio)
variants or less commonly thrustor
: one that thrusts
especially : an engine (such as a jet engine) that develops thrust by expelling a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

Examples of thruster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It also sports bow and stern thrusters that make docking a breeze. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024 The test successfully demonstrated the performance of the company's oxygen-hydrogen engine, which is based on a ring of 30 thrusters; the ability to throttle this engine and its thrust vector control system; as well as the vehicle's avionics, software, and ground systems. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2023 Amazonians liken the power of the thruster to a flap of a dragonfly’s wings, which, fired for hours in the vacuum of space, can overcome gravity’s pull. Matt Day, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2023 Engineers are working on the issue but currently, the thrusters can only operate for 40 more hours at most. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2024 Quick-thinking Astrobotic engineers used Peregrine’s small control thrusters to counteract the jetting propellant, successfully stabilizing the spacecraft and pointing its solar panels toward the sun to charge onboard batteries. Michael Greshko, Scientific American, 19 Jan. 2024 Twin electric motors deliver 500 kW each to the thrusters, while two 349 kW generators produce further electrical energy. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2024 If the thrusters hold up to the extra burden, Astrobotic said Monday evening that the lander could remain in a stable Sun-pointing state for about 40 more hours, based on current fuel consumption. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 8 Jan. 2024 Back at the slip, the combo of Mercury’s joystick control and electric bow thruster, plus exceptional all-round visibility from the helm, makes docking a breeze. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thruster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thruster was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near thruster

Cite this Entry

“Thruster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thruster. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thruster

noun
thrust·​er ˈthrəs-tər How to pronounce thruster (audio)
: one that thrusts
especially : an engine that produces thrust by discharging a jet of fluid or a stream of particles

More from Merriam-Webster on thruster

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