rocket engine

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Word: Rocket Engine

Definition: A rocket engine is a type of engine that uses fuel and an oxidizer (substance that helps fuel burn) to produce thrust. This thrust pushes the rocket forward by expelling gas at high speed in the opposite direction. It works on the principle of reaction propulsion, which means that when gas is pushed out one way, the rocket moves the other way.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Countability: It can be used in both singular and plural forms (e.g., "a rocket engine," "rocket engines").
• Context: Commonly used in discussions about space travel, engineering, and science.

Example Sentence:

• "The rocket engine powered the spacecraft into orbit around the Earth."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might encounter phrases like "liquid rocket engine" or "solid rocket engine," which refer to the type of propellant used. Liquid rocket engines use liquid fuel, while solid rocket engines use solid fuel.

Word Variants:

• Rocket (noun): The vehicle that carries the engine and travels into space.
• Rocketry (noun): The science and technology of designing and using rockets.
• Rocket-powered (adjective): Describing something that is powered by a rocket engine (e.g., "rocket-powered vehicle").

Different Meanings:

• In a more informal context, "rocket" can be used as a verb meaning "to move very quickly" (e.g., "The price of the stock has rocketed").

Synonyms:

• Thrust engine
• Jet engine (though jet engines typically work differently, they are sometimes grouped together in discussions about propulsion).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Shoot for the stars": This idiom means to aim for high goals or ambitions, similar to how rockets aim to reach outer space.
• "Blast off": This phrasal verb means to launch a rocket or to start something with great energy and enthusiasm.

Summary:

A rocket engine is a powerful device used for space travel, producing thrust by expelling gas.

Academic

Noun

1. a jet engine containing its own propellant and driven by reaction propulsion

Synonyms

• rocket