protrude

verb

pro·​trude prō-ˈtrüd How to pronounce protrude (audio)
protruded; protruding

intransitive verb

: to jut out from the surrounding surface or context
a handkerchief protruding from his breast pocket

transitive verb

1
: to cause to project
2
archaic : to thrust forward
protrusible adjective

Did you know?

Since trudere means "to thrust" in Latin, protrude means basically "to thrust forward". If your neighbors' patio protrudes over your property boundary, you may want to discuss it with them. A protruding disc in your spine may have to be operated on sooner or later; superficial protrusions, such as corns or bunions, tend to be less serious than more deeply rooted ones.

Examples of protrude in a Sentence

His lower jaw protrudes slightly. A handkerchief protruded from his shirt pocket.
Recent Examples on the Web In recent photos shown to Monitor reporters, cows in the Jordan Valley are gaunt, their ribs protruding. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jan. 2024 Fresh fennel looks a little bit like celery’s cooler cousin, with its layered bulb, protruding stalks and frilly fronds. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 The little pests have a flat, oval body and dark, protruding eyes, as well as short antennae. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 Fosse is also the first Scandinavian to win the prize since Swedish poet Tomas Tranströmer was awarded in 2011 for his poems about jetties, piers, and other things that protrude into water. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 5 Oct. 2023 The idea of reduction runs through Arsham's catalog, from utilizing the white walls of galleries to displaying protruding forms - lacking color - conversely, reducing the Cavaliers logo while upgrading its familiar strokes. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Over a period of 3,000 years, baboons were nearly always depicted in the same way — sitting down with their hands placed on their knees, often with protruding genitals. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024 There's a wire protruding out the left side of the headset that leads to a rectangular battery, which lasts for around two hours on a single charge. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 18 Jan. 2024 Rollers that feature a textured exterior, whether knobbed or grid-like, are most beneficial for those who prefer deep-tissue style massages, as the protruding pieces are designed to work their way into the muscle and release tension. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protrude.' 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

Latin protrudere, from pro- + trudere to thrust — more at threat

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of protrude was in 1620

Dictionary Entries Near protrude

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

protrude

verb
pro·​trude prō-ˈtrüd How to pronounce protrude (audio)
protruded; protruding
: to stick out or cause to stick out

Medical Definition

protrude

verb
pro·​trude prō-ˈtrüd How to pronounce protrude (audio)
protruded; protruding

transitive verb

: to cause to project
the mentalis raises and protrudes the lower lipGray's Anatomy

intransitive verb

: to jut out from the surrounding surface

More from Merriam-Webster on protrude

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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