protractor

noun

pro·​trac·​tor prō-ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce protractor (audio)
prə-
1
a
: one that protracts
b
: a muscle that extends a part
2
: an instrument for laying down and measuring angles in drawing and plotting

Examples of protractor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The team is combing the soil to find any bone fragments, as well as personal items such as uniforms, navigation protractors, watches and rings. Stephen Smith, CBS News, 21 May 2024 The spiral pictured is 120 feet (36.5 meters) wide, photographed by drone, and was plotted out on the ground using a protractor specially fabricated for the occasion by the band with a pivoting centre and 60ft long adjustable arm. Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 19 Jan. 2024 But the crew might have to calculate the target’s coordinates using a map and protractor. David Axe, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2023 But come fall, anyone who’s ever bought a school supply—even a chintzy, plastic protractor—might feel a stirring of initiative in their sunburned loins. Wsj Off Duty Editors, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for protractor 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protractor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Medieval Latin prōtractor "instrument for measuring angles," from Latin prōtrac-, variant stem of prōtrahere "to drag forward, draw or pull out, bring into the open" + -tor, agent suffix — more at protract

Note: The word occurs at least once in printed versions of the Peri optikēs (known as the Perspectiva) of Vitellio/Witelo, the first of which appeared in Nuremberg in 1535. Witelo, taken to be ethnically Polish, was a natural scientist and philosopher born in Silesia in the thirteenth century.

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of protractor was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near protractor

Cite this Entry

“Protractor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protractor. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

protractor

noun
pro·​trac·​tor prō-ˈtrak-tər How to pronounce protractor (audio)
: an instrument for drawing and measuring angles

Medical Definition

protractor

noun
pro·​trac·​tor -tər How to pronounce protractor (audio)
: a muscle that extends a part compare retractor sense b

More from Merriam-Webster on protractor

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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