thruster
Thruster (noun) means a small engine used to steer or position a spacecraft, ship, or submarine. Example: “The astronauts fired the thrusters to adjust the capsule's orbit.”
How to use thruster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small propulsion engine on a vehicle, or a three-finned surfboard.
Word forms
thrusters plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The astronauts fired the _____ to adjust the capsule's orbit.
Etymology
Formed from thrust plus -er; the surfboard sense was coined by surfboard designer Simon Anderson in 1980 and quickly became the generic name for that fin setup.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for thruster
See all rhymes for thruster →Frequently asked questions
What does “thruster” mean?
The word “thruster” means a small engine used to steer or position a spacecraft, ship, or submarine. In plain terms, a small propulsion engine on a vehicle, or a three-finned surfboard.
How do you pronounce “thruster”?
“Thruster” is pronounced THRUH-st (/ˈθɹʌ.stɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “thruster” in a sentence?
Here is “thruster” used in a sentence: “The astronauts fired the thrusters to adjust the capsule's orbit.”
What part of speech is “thruster”?
“Thruster” is a noun.
Where does the word “thruster” come from?
The word “thruster” dates back to around 1980. Formed from thrust plus -er; the surfboard sense was coined by surfboard designer Simon Anderson in 1980 and quickly became the generic name for that fin setup.
How many meanings does “thruster” have?
“Thruster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small engine used to steer or position a spacecraft, ship, or submarine.