prod

verb

\ ˈpräd

prodded; prodding

Definition of prod

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : 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

prod

noun (1)

Definition of prod (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : a pointed instrument used to prod

2 : an incitement to act needed a few prods to remember her lines

prod

abbreviation

Definition of prod (Entry 3 of 4)

product; production

Prod

noun (2)

\ ˈpräd

Definition of Prod (Entry 4 of 4)

chiefly Irish, often disparaging + offensive

: protestant sense 1b

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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

Retaliation any greater than a token strike (think Syria 2016) would prod the nuclear deal -- the JCPOA -- another step closer to collapsing, 16 months after Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement. — Tim Lister, CNN, "After the Saudi oil attacks, all options carry great risk," 16 Sep. 2019 California’s congressionally granted authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards under the 1970 Clean Air Act has long prodded automakers to adopt more fuel-efficient passenger vehicles. — Tom Krisher, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump challenges California power to control auto pollution," 7 Sep. 2019 The mainstream media does not simply report on the politics of the Democratic Party but instead help lead it and prod along its top policy platforms, according to radio host Mark Levin. — Fox News, "Mark Levin: Mainstream media doesn't 'follow' the Democratic Party, they 'lead' it," 6 Sep. 2019 California's congressionally granted authority to set its own, tougher emissions standards under the 1970 Clean Air Act has long prodded automakers to adopt more fuel-efficient passenger vehicles. — Tom Krisher, Fortune, "Trump Takes on California Mileage Standards on the Road to Nationwide Rollback of Obama-Era Rules," 6 Sep. 2019 Gray is prodding at something just as Roy McBride is, scratching at the howl of the universe to see what’s making the noise. — Rachel Yang, EW.com, "First Ad Astra reviews say Brad Pitt shines in thoughtful, slightly familiar movie," 29 Aug. 2019 Since BlueKeep was publicly announced on May 14, the security industry has prodded users to patch with mixed results: As of a count last month somewhere between 730,000 and 800,000 computers remained vulnerable to BlueKeep. — Andy Greenberg, WIRED, "DejaBlue: New BlueKeep-Style Bugs Mean You Need to Update Windows Now," 13 Aug. 2019 The city is prodding people toward more reusable food- and drink-ware, as part of an effort to slash waste and green the economy. — Elena Shao, SFChronicle.com, "Don’t throw away that cup! S.F. pushes reusables, but it won’t be easy," 4 Aug. 2019 Ultimately, the patent uncertainty created by the new interference declaration may prod UC and Broad to cut a deal. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, "Surprise patent ruling revives high-stakes dispute over the genome editor CRISPR," 26 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

His book is, in this way, a prod toward the study of the humanities—toward history, literature, philosophy, religion—the very subjects that have dimmed next to the bright light of the screen. — Gal Beckerman, The New Republic, "Don’t Blame Phones for Narcissism," 7 May 2018 This emphasizes not just Leonardo’s relation to his teacher but also Verrocchio’s broader role as an instigator and general prod to the creative energies of late-15th-century Florence. — Washington Post, "The first major U.S. show devoted to the artist who helped forge Leonardo da Vinci’s genius," 12 Sep. 2019 Alex Kraus—Bloomberg via Getty Images In China, the company now faces another regulatory prod backing it into the electric-car corner. — Fortune, "Electric Car Gold Rush: The Auto Industry Charges Into China," 20 Aug. 2019 Though the title character’s writing is presented as incendiary, Onah’s film is more of a series of teasing prods, one that seeks to challenge the audience but shies away from shocking them. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "A Flawed Thriller About the Myth of the ‘Model Immigrant’," 5 Aug. 2019 These genetically wild animals, by instinct wired to hunt and roam over great distances, may live in small enclosures except when performing for clients’ cameras, coaxed with treats and prods by a handler just out of the frame. — National Geographic, "Is the food appropriate and safely provided?," 31 July 2019 Chad Wright, a nuisance wildlife trapper with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, used a long prod to press a balloon against Amos' teeth a few times before their pet spilled the secret. — Tiffini Theisen, orlandosentinel.com, "Florida couple uses pet alligator for gender reveal for family’s 10th child," 12 June 2019 The Trump King Kong act, with the media as ringmaster and prod, has kept millions of frenzied Democratic voters screaming like Fay Wray for 22 months. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "A Referendum on Trump," 31 Oct. 2018 In each of the videos, Kim prods and pokes, trying to coerce each sister into flattering words about her weight. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Kardashian’s sisters said she looked anorexic. She took it as a compliment.," 3 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prod.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.