Definition of protrude
1 archaic : to thrust forward
2 : to cause to project
: to jut out from the surrounding surface or context a handkerchief protruding from his breast pocket
protrusibleplay \-ˈtrü-sə-bəl, -zə-\ adjective
Examples of protrude in a Sentence
His lower jaw protrudes slightly.
A handkerchief protruded from his shirt pocket.
Recent Examples of protrude from the Web
Noel Watters kills the engine and ushers us over to a 2-foot-tall strip of concrete protruding from underground.
The Narwhal, which can reach a top speed of 25 knots or 29 miles per hour and is named for a whale that has a large, sword-like tusk protruding from its lip, has responded to a wide range of emergencies since its 2001 commissioning in Newport Beach.
The gadget's slim, protruding sides do a decent job of laying down some contour lines.
A protruding lever aims the contraption at the nether region of your choice, and a knob starts the spray.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'protrude'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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.
Origin and Etymology of protrude
Latin protrudere, from pro- + trudere to thrust — more at threat
First Known Use: 1620
PROTRUDE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of protrude for English Language Learners
: to stick out
PROTRUDE Defined for Kids
Definition of protrude for Students
: to stick out or cause to stick out
Medical Definition of protrude
transitive verb: to cause to project the mentalis raises and protrudes the lower lip—Gray's Anatomy
intransitive verb: to jut out from the surrounding surface
Seen and Heard
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