project

noun

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 Learn More about project

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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

At the time of his death, Freelon’s most recent projects included an expansion of the Motown Museum in Detroit, a mile-long open-air museum along Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles, and the North Carolina Freedom Park in downtown Raleigh. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Phil Freelon, architect of National Museum of African-American History and Culture, dies," 9 July 2019 Volunteers have established a perpetual $500 scholarship for an Armada High student or other approved, special project in April's memory, Risch said. — Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, "Town overcame senseless tragedy. Now, it's vying to be the nation's nicest place," 9 July 2019 Central Living is the high-density, urban brand of David Weekley Homes with projects in neighborhoods such as Spring Branch, NRG Park, Cottage Grove, Garden Oaks and the Heights. — Houston Chronicle, "David Weekley Homes opens Inner Loop community in NW Houston," 9 July 2019 So does Vijaya Gadde, Twitter’s chief legal officer, who has invested in restaurant projects by chefs Dominique Crenn and Tanya Holland. — Carolyn Jung, SFChronicle.com, "Cyrus in Healdsburg will not reopen, chef-owner Douglas Keane says," 9 July 2019 Among the many technological breakthroughs of NASA's Apollo project to land a man on the Moon was the Apollo Guidance Computer that flew onboard Apollo spacecraft. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "How to mine bitcoins using a computer from NASA’s Apollo program," 9 July 2019 Tasker said the big deal that year in class was an Oregon Trail project which required gathering the children and taking their pictures in costume. — Dave Altimari, courant.com, "'Her great joy in life is her children’: Friends of Jennifer Farber Dulos dismiss ‘Gone Girl’ and "revenge-suicide’ theories by estranged husband’s defense attorneys," 8 July 2019 The predominately Latino and low-income area have been squeezed in recent years by things including the Interstate 70 expansion project and an influx of interest from buyers priced out of other parts of town. — Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, "Denver communities putting more faith in land trusts amid affordable housing crisis," 8 July 2019 And attendees of all ages can participate in the Clay for All, an interactive clay project designed with parents and kids in mind. — Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, "130 glass blowers, clay artists converge at Palo Alto festival," 8 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Multiple sources tell Recode that the company is projecting losses of more than $1 billion for its US e-commerce division this year, on revenue of between $21 billion and $22 billion. — Jason Del Rey, Vox, "Inside the conflict at Walmart that’s threatening its high-stakes race with Amazon," 3 July 2019 Metcalf said this year the facility is projecting $1,745,000 in income. — John Benson, cleveland.com, "North Olmsted officials excited about Springvale Golf Course & Ballroom’s new patio and pavilion," 1 July 2019 The maker of the Leaf electric car and Infiniti luxury models is projecting a further deterioration in its earnings, but promising a recovery for the year after that. — Washington Post, "Nissan governance steps, board win shareholders’ approval," 25 June 2019 Here's what early NBA mock drafts are projecting for the Arizona connections: Nico Mannion cleveland.com: Nico Mannion taken by Indiana Pacers at No. — Jeremy Cluff, azcentral, "2020 NBA mock draft: Nico Mannion, Josh Green among Arizona's next NBA draft contingent," 24 June 2019 The district is projecting revenues of $29 million and expenses of $28.6 million. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, "How they voted, June 23," 23 June 2019 Equinor is now projecting massive expansion for floating wind—13 GW globally by 2030—as costs decline steeply. — Michael J. Coren, Quartz, "Floating wind farms just became a serious business," 22 June 2019 On the heels of a long, steady rise in remodeling, many are projecting that the rate of growth will likely slow. — Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, "Planning to remodel in the Bay Area? Be prepared to wait," 19 June 2019 The city’s financial office is projecting only a 2% increase in revenues. — Katrina Foley, latimes.com, "Commentary: Public safety is Costa Mesa’s highest priority," 18 June 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near project

Statistics for project

Last Updated

12 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for project

The first known use of project was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for project

project

noun

English Language Learners Definition of project

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of project (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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)

See the full definition for project in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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