project

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

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: project in a Sentence

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

Contact the Caltrans District 11 Public Information Office at 619-688-6670 with questions about the project.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Caltrans to begin Route 78 repairs Monday," 9 July 2018
Carlos Basualdo, the curator of contemporary art for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is known for his ambitious projects and acquisitions.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Why Philly feels squeezed by U.S. economy, Philly Latinos face Trump's America | Morning Newsletter," 9 July 2018
His first major project with the Jaycees was the building of a pavilion for handicapped children at Mill Pond Park in Newington.

— courant.com, "Martin B. Courneen," 8 July 2018
Lenckos said part of the process might include him and Hudson going before commissioners to update them and open a conversation about the project.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Porter County parks department eyes '19 budget, funding improvements," 6 July 2018
The port stands to pay more for materials on its construction projects.

— david lyons, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nervous South Florida industries await tariff war fallout," 6 July 2018
Nick, the son of Lisa Horsman, built benches and bird houses at Church of the Holy Spirit in Forestville for his Eagle Scout project.

— mary schneidau sullivan, Laurel Leader, "Keeping local news important [Old Town," 6 July 2018
Bright Oaks had been using the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ EB-5 program to finance its projects.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Bright Oaks complying with court order to clean up Elgin Memory Care site," 6 July 2018
Graze, a chicken-and-biscuits restaurant, was supposed to be his next project and was scheduled to open this year.

— nichole manna, star-telegram, "Crockett Row no longer affiliated with Chef Grady Spears," 5 July 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

projected; projecting; projects

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

The cones, cubes and other geometric forms projecting from the painting’s surface are accompanied by a paint brush and a costume party-suitable mask.

— mike giuliano, Howard County Times, "Artist gets metaphysical at Columbia Art Center," 6 July 2018
As part of the drug war in Central America in the 1990s, Mr. Etten projected America’s prohibitionary stance to the world.

— patrik jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, "As war vets enter the fray, stigma lessens around cannabis," 5 July 2018
In 2017, with the NFL draft only weeks aways, Gareon Conley was projected to be one of the top cornerbacks.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "Oakland Raiders Cornerback Gareon Conley Sues Woman Who Accused Him of Rape, Causing His Draft Stock to Fall," 5 July 2018
In 2017, Alzheimer’s cost the United States more than $259 billion, and that is projected to rise to more than $1 trillion by 2050.

— allan hugh cole jr., STAT, "Finding new treatments for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s shouldn’t be up to pharma alone," 26 June 2018
Speaking of the Samuel Goldwyn: One week prior to the 2001 screening, June 4, the Academy will host a lecture at the theater on Hollywood great George Stevens, followed by a 35mm screening of the director’s rarely projected 1935 romance Alice Adams.

— jordan cronk, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Picks: A June To-Do List for Film Buffs in L.A.," 1 June 2018
The idea was to project stylized video images of Bay Area scenes using the giant bank of lights 61 stories in the sky.

— steve rubenstein, San Francisco Chronicle, "Salesforce Tower light show loses out to the SF fog," 22 May 2018
Dropping the worst of their own anti-gay tendencies allows nationalists to project themselves as the true guardians of tolerance.

— The Economist, "Europe’s anti-immigrant parties are becoming more gay-friendly," 5 July 2018
Her ability to project cheerful deference—to hide her anger, confusion, and desire—falls apart.

— kelly coyne, The Atlantic, "The Literary Insights of Sylvia Plath’s College Thesis," 22 May 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.