əˈɹuɡələ pɹə(ʊ)ˈdʒɛktʌɪl pɹəˈdʒɛk.taɪl ˈskaɪˌɹɒk.ɪt ˈskaɪˌɹɒk.ɪt propel with a rocket shoot up abruptly, like a rocket prices skyrocketed a jet engine containing its own propellant and driven by reaction propulsion any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine sends a firework display high into the sky propels bright light high in the sky, or used to propel a lifesaving line or harpoon erect European annual often grown as a salad crop to be harvested when young and tender