oxidizer

noun

ox·​i·​diz·​er ˈäk-sə-ˌdī-zər 

: oxidizing agent

especially : one used to support the combustion of a rocket propellant

Examples of oxidizer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The launch was initially set to launch more than a month ago, until NASA announced back in August that an oxidizer leak had been detected in the propulsion system. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2026

The spacecraft was already loaded with nitrogen tetroxide, or NTO, the volatile, toxic oxidizer used by Dragon’s control thrusters in combination with hydrazine fuel. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026

Unlike solid rocket motors, which utilize propellant containing fuel and a chemical oxidizer, solid fuel ramjets use atmospheric oxygen as the oxidizer for the fuel during flight, freeing internal volume for additional fuel. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

For example, the company traced the helium leaks to valve problems — specifically, degradation that occurred after exposure to nitrogen tetroxide, the oxidizer in Starliner's propulsion system. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oxidizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer
• merchandiser