oxidizer
noun
ox·i·diz·er ˈäk-sə-ˌdī-zər 
: oxidizing agent
especially : one used to support the combustion of a rocket propellant
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Sometimes scientists will use language that’s really tricky or specialized without realizing that not everyone knows, for example, what an oxidizer is. 
Maggie Chen, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2022 Nine months have passed since a standard pre-flight check of the spacecraft, then sitting atop a rocket on a launch pad in Florida, found that 13 of 24 oxidizer valves within Starliner's propulsion system were stuck. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Something must have caused methane propellant to ignite inside the vehicle, with the ambient oxygen in the air serving as an oxidizer. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 15 July 2022 During a test in April 2019, a leak of oxidizer just prior to ignition of these SuperDraco thrusters led to an explosion that destroyed a spacecraft. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 7 June 2022 The fuel and oxidizer are added in specific proportions so that the sparkler doesn’t explode like a traditional firework, but instead burns much more slowly (and safely). Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2022 As such, engineers have offloaded the propellant and oxidizer from that region to investigate it further. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 9 June 2022 The Tuesday test had been delayed for several days due to a problem with an oxidizer tank sensor. Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 21 June 2022 Most recently, though, NASA nixed Starliner’s launch thanks to issues with the oxidizer valves in the propulsion system. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 18 May 2022 See More
Maggie Chen, WIRED, 13 Sep. 2022 Nine months have passed since a standard pre-flight check of the spacecraft, then sitting atop a rocket on a launch pad in Florida, found that 13 of 24 oxidizer valves within Starliner's propulsion system were stuck. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Something must have caused methane propellant to ignite inside the vehicle, with the ambient oxygen in the air serving as an oxidizer. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 15 July 2022 During a test in April 2019, a leak of oxidizer just prior to ignition of these SuperDraco thrusters led to an explosion that destroyed a spacecraft. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 7 June 2022 The fuel and oxidizer are added in specific proportions so that the sparkler doesn’t explode like a traditional firework, but instead burns much more slowly (and safely). Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 30 June 2022 As such, engineers have offloaded the propellant and oxidizer from that region to investigate it further. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 9 June 2022 The Tuesday test had been delayed for several days due to a problem with an oxidizer tank sensor. Dasl Yoon, WSJ, 21 June 2022 Most recently, though, NASA nixed Starliner’s launch thanks to issues with the oxidizer valves in the propulsion system. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 18 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1850, in the meaning defined above