project

1 of 2

noun

proj·​ect ˈprä-ˌjekt 

-jikt,

 also  ˈprō-

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

2 of 2

verb

pro·​ject prə-ˈjekt 

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

prə-ˈjek-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun

• plan
• blueprint
• strategy
• program
• design
• scheme

Verb

• protrude
• poke
• stand out
• bulge
• stick out
• swell
• bunch

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

Under state law, the county can issue the debt over five years and complete its projects in another five. —Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025

Throughout the day, visitors checked out the exhibit, participated in their own art projects and enjoyed entertainment. —Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 22 June 2025

Verb

At that time, the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be depleted under the trustees’ best estimates. —Steve Vernon, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Following Sunday's victory, he is projected to move into ninth. —Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing project

• counter-project
• housing project
• project oneself
• project one's voice
• project onto
• sub-project

Rhymes for project

• subproject

Kids Definition

project

1 of 2 noun

proj·​ect ˈpräj-ˌekt 

-ikt

1

: a plan or scheme to do something

2

: a task or problem in school

my science project

3

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

especially : one built with government help to provide low-cost housing

project

2 of 2 verb

pro·​ject prə-ˈjekt 

1

a

: to work out in the mind

b

: to plan, figure, or estimate for the future

project next year's costs

2

: to throw forward

3

: stick out sense 1a

4

: to cause to fall upon a surface

project motion pictures on a screen

Medical Definition

project

transitive verb

pro·​ject prə-ˈjekt 

: 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