protrude
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
-
to thrust or cause to thrust forwards or outwards
-
to project or cause to project from or as if from a surface
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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protrudableadjective
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protrudentadjective
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protrusibleadjective
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unprotrudedadjective
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unprotrudentadjective
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unprotrusibleadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have protrudedperfect
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has protrudedperfect 3rd person singular
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am protrudingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been protrudingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is protrudingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been protrudingperfect progressive
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are protrudingprogressive
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protrudingparticiple
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protrudessingular 3rd person
Past
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had protrudedperfect
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was protrudingprogressive singular
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were protrudingprogressive plural
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had been protrudingperfect progressive
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protrudedparticiple
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protrudedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of protrude
First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin prōtrūdere “to thrust forward,” equivalent to prō- pro- 1 + trūdere “to thrust”
Explanation
Protrude means to stick out. A gravestone protrudes from the ground, a shelf protrudes from a wall, a lollipop stick protrudes from your mouth. From the Latin prō- "forward, out" + trūdere "to thrust," protrude often describes coastlines where rocks stick out into the water. Prō- gives us protrusion "something that sticks out," and protuberance "something that grows out of something else"––a goiter, for example, or a nose.
Vocabulary lists containing protrude
List 6
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Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
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My Life with the Chimpanzees
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His face in careful concentration, the Major-General from Ukraine's Civil Protection Service clings tightly to a precious bundle, wrapped for protection in his coat - and out of which two small pink shoes protrude.
From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025
A tree appeared to protrude near the cockpit.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2024
Dendritic spines protrude from dendrites, a component of neurons, and receive synaptic signals that are critical in learning and memory.
From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024
If there is a weak spot between the abdominal muscles, internal organs might start to protrude through the gap, causing a hernia.
From New York Times • Oct. 30, 2023
The lights protrude from the wall, so directly beneath each one is a slit of shadow.
From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
