prod

1 of 4

verb

prodded; prodding

transitive verb

1
a
: to thrust a pointed instrument into : prick
b
: to incite to action : stir
2
: to poke or stir as if with a prod

intransitive verb

: to urge someone on
prodder noun

prod

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
: a pointed instrument used to prod
2
: an incitement to act
needed a few prods to remember her lines

prod

3 of 4

abbreviation

Prod

4 of 4

noun (2)

chiefly Ireland, often disparaging + offensive

Examples of prod in a Sentence

Verb She prodded him in the ribs to get his attention. She was prodded into joining the team. Noun (1) She gave him a sharp prod in the back. He picked up a stick and used it as a prod to get the donkey moving. He needed a few prods to remember his lines. She called me and gave me a prod about finishing the report.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
During the last three months of my pregnancy, my daughter’s derrière prodded my right rib, inflicting continuous pain. Cheryl Maguire, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024 In February 1964 thousands of parents, students, and civil rights activists conducted a boycott of the New York City public schools to prod the city's board of education to set a timetable on integrating the nation's largest public school system. USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 That might seem hard to believe from a governor who appears to relish the national spotlight, is actively attempting to boost his profile with voters across the country and successfully prodded his Republican rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, to debate him on Fox News late last year. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024 Many times we’ve been poked and prodded in the inner corners of our eyes by uncomfortable lash bands, but that’s no problem for this soft pair. Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 19 Dec. 2023 En route to the Algarve, the Sport SV’s downsized V-8 still snarls when prodded, packs decisively more punch, yet never draws undue attention to itself. Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2024 The White House confirmed yesterday, prodded by alarming comments from Representative Mike Turner, the chairman of the House permanent select committee on intelligence, that Moscow is working to put a dangerous new nuclear device in space. The Editors, National Review, 16 Feb. 2024 The Consumer Finance Protection Board (CFPB) is prodding banks and fintechs to move ahead toward open banking — a legal framework for individuals to let a third party have secure access to some of their bank records. Tom Groenfeldt, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Trian and rival firm Blackwells Capital have launched dueling PR campaigns and proxy fights to prod Disney to make changes to its corporate governance and long-term strategy. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Feb. 2024
Noun
The rodeo alliance disagrees with the claim that animals are being harmed at any local events, saying no local groups use electric prods, sharpened spurs or other equipment or techniques criticized by animal rights groups. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 It's seen as a little bit of a prod to Beijing for now. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 Here visitors are asked to poke and prod (mentally of course—no touching allowed at the museum); trust our instincts; turn over possibilities in our heads and reconsider previous biases. Brian P. Kelly, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2024 The administration is using federal grants to prod local authorities to loosen zoning regulations, for instance, and is considering executive actions that focus on affordability. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2023 Ladislao Gigli La Manna; prod: Jeronimo Geldart, Argentina) Minnie, 18, is diagnosed with a lung tumor. John Hopewell, Variety, 28 Nov. 2023 The life cast, which can take the form of a bust or a three-dimensional replica of just the face, becomes the surface for the artist to begin shaping the prosthetics, with the aid of sculpting tools—such as wooden prods, needles, and small metal loops—that add texture. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 Pease said the devices rodeos use to control animals — including electric prods, shocking devices, bucking straps, sharpened spurs, wire tiedowns and rowels — are torture devices. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2023 And Justice Sonia Sotomayor was exposed by the Associated Press for telling her staff to prod institutions such as libraries and schools to purchase her books. Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

Noun (2)

by shortening & alteration

First Known Use

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prod was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near prod

Cite this Entry

“Prod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prod. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prod

1 of 2 verb
prodded; prodding
1
: to poke with something
2
: to stir a person or animal to action
kept prodding me to reveal the secret
prodder noun

prod

2 of 2 noun
1
: something used for prodding
2
: an act of prodding : a sharp urging or reminder

More from Merriam-Webster on prod

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!