First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1project
noun proj·ect \ˈprä-ˌjekt, -jikt also ˈprō-\
: a planned piece of work that has a specific purpose (such as to find information or to make something new) and that usually requires a lot of time
: a task or problem in school that requires careful work over a long period of time
Full Definition of PROJECT
1
: a specific plan or design : scheme
2
obsolete : idea
3
: a planned undertaking: as a : a definitely formulated piece of research b : a large usually government-supported undertaking c : a task or problem engaged in usually by a group of students to supplement and apply classroom studies
4
: a usually public housing development consisting of houses or apartments built and arranged according to a single plan
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Origin of PROJECT
Middle English projecte, from Medieval Latin projectum, from Latin, neuter of projectus, past participle of proicere to throw forward, from pro- + jacere to throw — more at jet
Related to PROJECT
- Synonyms
- arrangement, blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, master plan, program, plan, road map, scheme, strategy, system
Synonym Discussion of PROJECT
plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation <plans for a house>. design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony <a design for a new dress>. plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions <the plot of the play>. scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest <a scheme to defraud the government>. project often stresses imaginative scope and vision <a project to develop the waterfront>.
Rhymes with PROJECT
abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked
2project
verb pro·ject \prə-ˈjekt\
: to plan, calculate, or estimate (something) for a time in the future
: to cause (light, a picture, a movie, etc.) to appear on a surface
: to have or show (a particular quality, image, etc., that can be seen by other people)
Full Definition of PROJECT
transitive verb
1
a : to devise in the mind : design b : to plan, figure, or estimate for the future
2
: to throw or cast forward : thrust
3
: to put or set forth : present for consideration
4
: to cause to jut out
5
: to cause (light or shadow) to fall into space or (an image) to fall on a surface
6
: to reproduce (as a point, line, or area) on a surface by motion in a prescribed direction
7
: to display outwardly especially to an audience
8
: to attribute (one's own ideas, feelings, or characteristics) to other people or to objects <a nation is an entity on which one can project many of the worst of one's instincts — Times Literary Supplement>
intransitive verb
1
: to jut out : protrude
2
a : to come across vividly : give an impression b : to make oneself heard clearly
— pro·ject·able \-ˈjek-tə-bəl\ adjective
See project defined for English-language learners
Origin of PROJECT
Anglo-French projecter, from Latin projectus, past participle
First Known Use: 15th century
PROJECTING Defined for Kids
1project
noun proj·ect \ˈprä-ˌjekt, -jikt\
Definition of PROJECT for Kids
1
: a plan or scheme to do something <home improvement projects>
2
: a task or problem in school that requires work over a period of time and is often displayed or presented <a science project>
3
: a group of houses or apartment buildings built according to a single plan
2project
verb pro·ject \prə-ˈjekt\
pro·ject·edpro·ject·ing
Definition of PROJECT for Kids
1
: to stick out <The rock projected above the ground.>
2
: to cause to fall on a surface <The machine projects motion pictures on a screen.>
3
: to send or throw forward
Word Root of PROJECT
The Latin word jacere, meaning “to throw,” and its form jactus give us the root ject. Words from the Latin jacere have something to do with throwing. To reject is to throw back or away. To eject is to throw out. To inject is to throw one thing into another. To project is to throw forward onto a surface.
Medical Dictionary
project
transitive verb pro·ject \prə-ˈjekt\
Medical Definition of PROJECT
: to attribute or assign (something in one's own mind or a personal characteristic) to a person, group, or object <the patient projected hostility onto the therapist>
intransitive verb
: to connect by sending nerve fibers or processes <cells of the lateral geniculate body project to the back part of the cerebral cortex>
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