To propel means to push or drive something forward, making it move. When you kick a soccer ball across the field, your foot propels it. When a rocket launches into space, powerful engines propel it upward through the atmosphere.

A swimmer propels herself through the water by pushing against it with her arms and legs. A propeller on an airplane spins rapidly to propel the plane through the air. Even your bicycle chain propels you forward when you pedal, transferring the power from your legs to the wheels.

You can also use propel to describe how motivation or excitement drives someone forward in life. A student's curiosity might propel her to read every book in the library about ancient Egypt. An athlete's determination can propel him to practice harder and improve his skills. In this sense, something propels you when it gives you the energy or desire to keep moving toward a goal.

Whether it's physical force moving an object or inner drive moving a person forward, propel captures that sense of active pushing toward progress.