project

noun proj·ect \ ˈprä-ˌjekt , -jikt also ˈprō- \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of project

1 : a specific plan or design : scheme

2 obsolete : idea

3 : a planned undertaking: such as

a : a definitely formulated piece of research

b : a large usually government-supported undertaking

c : a task or problem engaged in usually by a group of students to supplement and apply classroom studies

4 : a usually public housing development consisting of houses or apartments built and arranged according to a single plan

See project defined for English-language learners

See project defined for kids

Examples of project in a Sentence

an ambitious project to develop the city's waterfront

Recent Examples of project from the Web

That project is proceeding after CBL in 2017 dropped plans to build a new parking structure just west of the mall's Boston Store.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "As possible Bon-Ton liquidation looms, downtown Milwaukee, and Wisconsin, brace for impact," 17 Apr. 2018
The project is a partnership between Fourth Street Live Louisville Downtown Partnership, and Louisville Grows.

— maggie menderski, The Courier-Journal, "Looking for groceries in downtown Louisville? A new option is coming in May.," 17 Apr. 2018
The project is being planned to begin in the early fall of 2018.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Wethersfield Edition," 17 Apr. 2018
The project was part of a collaboration with National Geographic, which also involved Nespoli capturing cinematic footage for the ten-part global event series One Strange Rock.

— nadia drake, National Geographic, "Exclusive: How We Made the First 3-D Virtual Reality Video in Space," 16 Apr. 2018
The project was a family affair, with grandfather Ogmundsson, an engineer, and mother Bjarney Ludviksdottir helping out.

— erin gabriel, CNN, "Boy with autism builds world's largest Lego Titanic replica," 16 Apr. 2018
Today, cost overruns surpass $270 million and the project is two years behind schedule.

— nancy mclernon, WSJ, "Protecting U.S. Dredgers Kills Jobs," 16 Apr. 2018
Short and medium-term projects could range from $1 billion to $2 billion once completed, according to the study.

— milton j. valencia, BostonGlobe.com, "UMass report cautions billions needed for local climate change preparations," 13 Apr. 2018
The project, in Philadelphia Contemporary’s grand tradition, is in partnership with the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, the Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the Friends of Lemon Hill.

— stephan salisbury, Philly.com, "Lemon Hill mansion becomes an image of resistance in daring art takeover," 13 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of project

Middle English projecte, from Medieval Latin projectum, from Latin, neuter of projectus, past participle of proicere to throw forward, from pro- + jacere to throw — more at jet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

project Synonyms

Synonyms

arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, plan, program, scheme, strategy, system;

Related Words

collusion, conspiracy, plot;

contrivance, device, gambit, maneuver, ruse, stratagem, subterfuge, trick;

counterplan, counterstrategy;

means, tactic, technique, way;

procedure, protocol;

conception, idea, projet, proposal, specific(s), specification(s);

aim, intent, intention, purpose;

diagram, formula, layout, map, pattern, platform, policy, recipe, setup;

Synonym Discussion of project

plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation.

- plans for a house

design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.

- a design for a new dress

plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.

- the plot of the play

scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.

- a scheme to defraud the government

project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.

- a project to develop the waterfront

project

verb pro·ject \ prə-ˈjekt \

Definition of project

transitive verb

1 a : to devise in the mind : design

b : to plan, figure, or estimate for the future

2 : to throw or cast forward : thrust

3 : to put or set forth : present for consideration

4 : to cause to jut out

5 : to cause (light or shadow) to fall into space or (an image) to fall on a surface

6 : to reproduce (something, such as a point, line, or area) on a surface by motion in a prescribed direction

7 : to display outwardly especially to an audience

8 : to attribute (one's own ideas, feelings, or characteristics) to other people or to objects

a nation is an entity on which one can project many of the worst of one's instincts
—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

intransitive verb

1 : to jut out : protrude

2 a : to come across vividly : give an impression

b : to make oneself heard clearly

—

projectable

play \prə-ˈjek-tə-bəl\ adjective

See project defined for English-language learners

Examples of project in a Sentence

He projected next year's costs as being slightly higher than this year's.
It's difficult to project funding needs so far into the future.
an athlete who projects a positive image to young people
We need an actor who projects a tough-guy image.

Recent Examples of project from the Web

In his meeting with Abe, however, Trump projected optimism.

— author: mark landler, Anchorage Daily News, "CIA director met secretly with North Korea’s leader," 18 Apr. 2018
The state's largest district with about 76,000 students — the majority low-income and many in need of costly services — MPS is projecting a deficit of $177 million by 2022-'23 if significant steps are not taken to address spending.

— annysa johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "MPS board meeting about a $38.7 million budget hole ends after 7 hours and 1 'go to hell'," 18 Apr. 2018
Take a look at USA TODAY Sports' projected top 10 teams ahead of the 2018 college football season.

— paul myerberg, USA TODAY, "San Diego State's unique approach has Aztecs in elite company," 17 Apr. 2018
In his meeting with Mr. Abe, however, Mr. Trump projected optimism.

— mark landler and matthew rosenberg, New York Times, "Mike Pompeo, C.I.A. Director, Met With Kim Jong-un in North Korea," 17 Apr. 2018
On Opening Day, Fangraphs projected L.A. would win 86 games, good for a 39.3% chance at October.

— si.com staff, SI.com, "Nine Innings: David Price's New Vantage Point, Joe Mauer's Hall of Fame Candidacy and a Possible Reboot of the '86 Postseason," 16 Apr. 2018
For some of the facilities, Skyline projected a negative margin of nearly 20 percent.

— kelsey ryan and andy marso, kansascity, "How a small company above a N.J. pizza parlor put Kansas nursing home residents at risk | The Kansas City Star," 15 Apr. 2018
In many of the past few years, Fed officials projected inflation returning to 2% only to find some unexpected development to upend those forecasts.

— nick timiraos, WSJ, "Fed Officials Dispel Specter of Deflation," 15 Apr. 2018
The Assad regime is projecting an image of defiance.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "The U.S. Airstrikes on Syria Turned Out to Be Very Conventional," 14 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of project

Anglo-French projecter, from Latin projectus, past participle

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

project Synonyms

Synonyms

arrange, blueprint, budget, calculate, chart, choreograph, design, frame, lay out, map (out), organize, plan, prepare, scheme (out), shape, strategize (about);

concert, get up;

draft, outline, sketch;

aim, figure, have on, intend, mean;

contemplate, meditate, premeditate;

PROJECT Defined for English Language Learners

project

noun

Definition of project for English Language Learners

: a planned piece of work that has a specific purpose (such as to find information or to make something new) and that usually requires a lot of time
: a task or problem in school that requires careful work over a long period of time

project

verb

Definition of project for English Language Learners

: to plan, calculate, or estimate (something) for a time in the future
: to cause (light, a picture, a movie, etc.) to appear on a surface
: to have or show (a particular quality, image, etc., that can be seen by other people)

PROJECT Defined for Kids

project

noun proj·ect \ ˈprä-ˌjekt , -jikt \

Definition of project for Students

1 : a plan or scheme to do something

home improvement projects

2 : a task or problem in school that requires work over a period of time and is often displayed or presented

a science project

3 : a group of houses or apartment buildings built according to a single plan

project

verb pro·ject \ prə-ˈjekt \

Definition of project for Students

projected; projecting

1 : to stick out

The rock projected above the ground.

2 : to cause to fall on a surface

The machine projects motion pictures on a screen.

3 : to send or throw forward

Word Root of project

The Latin word jacere, meaning “to throw,” and its form jactus give us the root ject. Words from the Latin jacere have something to do with throwing. To reject is to throw back or away. To eject is to throw out. To inject is to throw one thing into another. To project is to throw forward onto a surface.