propulsion

propulsion — 名詞

1. a physical force that moves an object, such as a vehicle or spacecraft, in a par

1.名詞B2
釋義

推力

推動物體前進的力量

a physical force that moves an object, such as a vehicle or spacecraft, in a particular direction

例句

Sana studied how the propulsion of a space shuttle is generated during lift-off.

Sana 研究了太空梭的推力如何在升空時產生。

collocation: propulsion of [vehicle]

Without enough propulsion, the fishing boat could not move against the strong current.

沒有足夠的推力，那艘漁船無法抵抗強勁的水流前進。

uncountable; modified by 'enough'

同義詞
  • thrust

    more specific; refers to the measurable reaction force from expelling mass, commonly used for rockets and engines

  • drive

    broader; can refer to mechanical power transfer, not necessarily forward motion

  • motive power

    formal/technical; refers to the energy source that produces motion

反義詞
  • resistance

    the opposing force that works against forward movement, such as drag or friction

文法句型

propulsion + of [something]

adjective + propulsion

用法筆記

Propulsion in this sense is uncountable and typically modified by an energy source or method (jet, rocket, electric). Unlike 'thrust', which refers to a specific reaction force measured in newtons, propulsion is a broader term for any forward-driving force.

常見錯誤

❌The propulsion of the car was strong.
✅The car's propulsion system was powerful.
💡'propulsion' itself is uncountable and not typically described as 'strong'; instead describe the propulsion system or level of thrust.

2. the system or method by which an object is driven forward through a medium such

2.名詞B2
釋義

推進

驅動物體前進的系統或方法

the system or method by which an object is driven forward through a medium such as air or water

例句

The engineers developed a new propulsion system that uses solar power for deep-space missions.

工程師開發出一套新的推進系統，使用太陽能進行深空任務。

collocation: propulsion system

Iker asked whether magnetic propulsion could replace traditional engines on high-speed trains.

Iker 想知道磁力推進能否取代高速列車上的傳統引擎。

compound noun: magnetic propulsion

同義詞
  • propulsion system

    more explicit; refers to the complete assembly of components that produce motion

  • propulsion method

    highlights the approach or technique rather than the hardware

  • motive system

    formal; often used in engineering documents for the power-and-drive arrangement

文法句型

propulsion + system / technology / method

adjective + propulsion

用法筆記

This sense commonly appears in compound nouns describing a technology category — 'propulsion system', 'propulsion method', 'propulsion technology'. In everyday conversation, the simpler word 'engine' is more common than 'propulsion system'.

常見錯誤

❌The propulsion is broken.
✅The propulsion system is broken.
💡'propulsion' as a process/system sense needs a qualifier like 'system' or 'method' when referring to the technology itself.