prod

1 of 5

verb

ˈpräd 

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 5

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 5

abbreviation

product; production

Prod

4 of 5

noun (2)

ˈpräd 

chiefly Ireland, often disparaging + offensive

: protestant sense 1b

prodder

5 of 5

noun (3)

prod·​der

-də(r)

plural -s

: one that prods

Synonyms of prod

Verb

• poke
• spur
• stab
• dig
• goad
• punch
• nudge

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

After order is restored just enough to prod us to a sequel, Cretton circles back to those civilians in an end credits montage of normal New Yorkers hanging out on stoops and playing chess in the park. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

And along with the documentary, you get prodded into recall again. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026

Noun

Artisan and his coaching partner, Ike Shehadeh, poke and prod at every part of his group’s personalities. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

Men gathered at village auctions to grope and prod Black people; the shapes of their muscles and strength of their teeth determined their value, babies included. — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing prod

• cattle prod

Rhymes for prod

• awed
• baaed
• baud
• bawd
• brod
• clawed
• cod
• flawed
• fraud
• gnawed
• god
• jawed

Kids Definition

prod

1 of 2 verb

ˈpräd 

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