protruded; protruding
: to jut out from the surrounding surface or context
a handkerchief protruding from his breast pocket
Did you know?
Since trudere means "to thrust" in Latin, protrude means basically "to thrust forward". If your neighbors' patio protrudes over your property boundary, you may want to discuss it with them. A protruding disc in your spine may have to be operated on sooner or later; superficial protrusions, such as corns or bunions, tend to be less serious than more deeply rooted ones.
Examples of protrude in a Sentence
His lower jaw protrudes slightly.
A handkerchief protruded from his shirt pocket.
Recent Examples on the Web
Temporary air ducts protrude from windows to ventilate spaces under construction in the Capitol.
—
Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
The TriFold’s back has both a camera bump and three lenses that protrude further out, undermining the broader emphasis on thinness.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Most often, she was seen with protruding, sculptural hair, abstract eye shadow, and vibrant lip colors, all in line with her aesthetic at the Mugler 1986 show.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
Any loose or protruding parts could indicate foul play.
—Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protrude
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Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
The TriFold’s back has both a camera bump and three lenses that protrude further out, undermining the broader emphasis on thinness.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
Most often, she was seen with protruding, sculptural hair, abstract eye shadow, and vibrant lip colors, all in line with her aesthetic at the Mugler 1986 show.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
Any loose or protruding parts could indicate foul play.
—Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for protrude
Cite this Entry
“Protrude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protrude. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
protrude
verb
pro·trude
prō-ˈtrüd 
protruded; protruding
: to cause to project
the mentalis raises and protrudes the lower lip—Gray's Anatomy
Gray's Anatomy
: to jut out from the surrounding surface
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