protrusion

American  

[proh-troo-zhuhn, pruh-] / proʊˈtru ʒən, prə- /

noun

1. the act of protruding or the state of being protruded.

2. something that protrudes or projects.

   Synonyms:

   protuberance, bulge, projection, jut

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protrusion British  

/ prəˈtruːʒən /

noun

1. something that protrudes

2. the state or condition of being protruded

3. the act or process of protruding

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonprotrusion
  noun

Etymology

Origin of protrusion

1640–50; < Latin prōtrūs ( us ) (past participle of prōtrūdere to protrude ) + -ion

Explanation

Anything that sticks or juts out from a surface is a protrusion. When you're rock climbing, every protrusion is a possible handle to grab or step to stand on. In medicine, most protrusions are evidence of some disorder or illness, like a bulging protrusion in your belly. Most other protrusions, though, are perfectly normal: your nose is a protrusion in the middle of your face, and a spire can be described as a protrusion on the top of a church. The Latin source of protrusion is protrudere, "to push out."

Example Sentences

This creates a highly efficient system that supports cell protrusion, adhesion and rapid shape changes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026

The surgery is to repair an inguinal hernia -- a protrusion in the groin area due to a tear in the abdominal muscles.

From Barron's • Dec. 25, 2025

I watched an older woman grow overcome by the proclamation that a protrusion in her abdomen was being burned out of her body.

From Slate • Sep. 25, 2024

It causes a sac-like protrusion of brain tissue coming out of an opening in the skull and impacts about 1 in 10,000 babies born in the U.S.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2024

She tied a thick knot onto a protrusion.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young