verb

propel

pruh-PEL/prəˈpel/

to drive someone or something forward

The man propels the wheeled cart forward by pushing firmly on its handle.

A young adult Latino man leans forward and pushes a small wheeled handcart ahead, making the forward-driving force clear through his posture and contact with the handle.

Etymology

The pieces combine as “push forward,” matching the current meaning closely. Early English also used the word for driving something away, before the forward-motion sense became established.

In context

Nuttall's Biology2:36

peristalsis is an involuntary wave of contraction and relaxation that will spread down the intestine in order to propel the contents through

Digestive System Part 1

More examples

She propels her wheelchair up the ramp.
The blast propelled debris across the street.
That discovery propelled her career forward.

Forms

propel · propels · propelled · propelling

propulsion noun — the action of driving something forward

propeller noun — a rotating device that drives a vehicle forward

Similar words

push: Usually involves direct pressure; need not cause forward movement.
thrust: Emphasizes a sudden, forceful movement rather than sustained motion.
drive: Can emphasize control or direction as well as forward force.