project

noun

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proj·ect | \ ˈprä-ˌjekt

, -jikt also ˈprō- \

Definition of project

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

project

verb

pro·ject | \ prə-ˈjekt

projected; projecting; projects

Definition of project (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

2a : to come across vividly : give an impression

b : to make oneself heard clearly

Other Words from project Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing project Learn More About project

Choose the Right Synonym for project

Noun

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

Examples of project in a Sentence

Noun an ambitious project to develop the city's waterfront Verb 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 on the Web: Noun Water suppliers relying on project water must figure out how to cut use accordingly. — Yoohyun Jung, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 June 2022 Known as Iron Beam, the laser-defense system has recently shown new promise in its ability to take down drones, rockets and mortars, fueling optimism in Israel that the project could provide the country with a new level of protection. — Dion Nissenbaum, WSJ, 28 June 2022 This, of course, is the goal of every agile project in any industry. — Jeff Shupack, Forbes, 28 June 2022 The project is looking for additional financing to finish shooting, as well as post-production support. — Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 June 2022 For the Scottish project, Carbon Engineering will team with Storegga, another startup trying to crack the DAC market. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 28 June 2022 Drake has shattered longstanding chart records over the past several years, reaching new highs with each new project. — Xander Zellner, Billboard, 27 June 2022 Cox submitted the lowest of five bids for the construction project. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2022 With funding from the European Union, the pilot project is set to run two to three more years; if successful, the model could expand to other locations. — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The certification process, while lengthy, helps ensure the scientific validity of the sequestration method and make the credits generated by the Seafields project more valuable and attractive to corporate buyers. — Erik Kobayashi-solomon, Forbes, 7 June 2022 The projections paint a grim outlook for the Biden administration just months from a politically contentious midterm election and as the administration tries to project a welcoming message to refugees amid the war in Ukraine. — Priscilla Alvarez, CNN, 25 Mar. 2022 These guys had much more one-dimensional skill sets, and didn’t project to age as gracefully. — Tony Blengino, Forbes, 15 June 2022 The goals should be to keep space free from conflict and project the strength needed to deter conflict on Earth. — Frank Kendall And John W. Raymond, WSJ, 8 June 2022 As for the possibility that Trust, which began by tracing Rask’s ancestry, might project into the future as a generational saga, or even end up in our present day—this is belied by the fact that Benjamin and Helen have no children. — Jonathan Dee, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 Now that the NBA Draft order is set, here’s a look at where leading draft analysts project Smith and Kessler to be selected next month. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 18 May 2022 Biden's remarks from the White House come after the Treasury Department updated estimates this week to project that the U.S. deficit will fall by over $1.5 trillion this year, a revision from the $1.3 trillion projected in Biden's budget. — Libby Cathey, ABC News, 4 May 2022 The frustration here is not with Gordon and Brisker, who project as above-average starters for a secondary that desperately needs help. — Baltimore Sun, 3 May 2022 See More

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.

History and Etymology for project

Noun

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

Verb

Anglo-French projecter, from Latin projectus, past participle

Learn More About project

Dictionary Entries Near project

projeck

project

projectile

Statistics for project

Last Updated

30 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/project. Accessed 5 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for project

project

noun

proj·ect | \ ˈprä-ˌjekt

, -jikt \

Kids Definition of project

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

projected; projecting

Kids Definition of project (Entry 2 of 2)

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

project

transitive verb

pro·ject | \ prə-ˈjekt

Medical Definition of project

: to attribute or assign (something in one's own mind or a personal characteristic) to a person, group, or object the patient projected hostility onto the therapist

intransitive verb

: to connect by sending nerve fibers or processes cells of the lateral geniculate body project to the back part of the cerebral cortex