Definition
The outermost end of a propeller blade, farthest from the hub. Because it is the point on the blade that travels the greatest distance per revolution, it moves at the highest speed and is the part of the propeller most susceptible to damage, erosion, and approaching the speed of sound.
Plain English
The far end of a propeller blade — the part that sweeps around in the largest circle and moves the fastest as the propeller spins.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in propeller descriptions, preflight inspection, and discussions of blade damage or propeller efficiency.
Derivation
From Old English and Middle English meaning the slender, pointed end of something. The everyday sense — the end of a finger, a wing, a blade — carries directly into aviation use.
Why Pilots Care
The tip travels fastest and generates the highest stresses, noise, and efficiency effects during flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read tip here as advice or a small payment. In this propeller context, tip means the physical outer end of the blade.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot ran a hand along each blade and checked the tip for nicks before flight.
Example Sentence 2
At high RPM the propeller tip approaches the speed of sound, increasing noise and drag.