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
- protrudable adjective
- protrudent adjective
- protrusible adjective
- unprotruded adjective
- unprotrudent adjective
- unprotrusible adjective
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
In a canyon overlooking Paradise Cove, melted steel beams protrude from a concrete foundation that survived Woolsey.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025
The CARs can recognize specific proteins, known as antigens, that protrude from cancer cells.
From Science Daily • May 8, 2024
His chin is pitched forward, his ears protrude and his brow is furrowed over glinting black eyes.
From New York Times • Dec. 5, 2023
He had a round face, with broad cheeks and a weak chin that made his thick lips seem to protrude even more.
From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep
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.
