protrusion

noun

pro·​tru·​sion prō-ˈtrü-zhən How to pronounce protrusion (audio)
1
: something (such as an anatomical part or excrescence) that protrudes
2
: the act of protruding : the state of being protruded
Choose the Right Synonym for protrusion

projection, protrusion, protuberance, bulge mean an extension beyond the normal line or surface.

projection implies a jutting out especially at a sharp angle.

those projections along the wall are safety hazards

protrusion suggests a thrusting out so that the extension seems a deformity.

the bizarre protrusions of a coral reef

protuberance implies a growing or swelling out in rounded form.

a skin disease marked by warty protuberances

bulge suggests an expansion caused by internal pressure.

bulges in the tile floor

Examples of protrusion in a Sentence

bony protrusions on the outside of the elbow a roof with many protrusions The pain was caused by a protrusion of a disc in his lower back.
Recent Examples on the Web While fishes like swordfish and sawsharks wield dramatic upper-jaw protrusions, very few species possess elongated lower jaw protrusions. Jack Tamisiea, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 The feature that would make the most sense to mount in a round protrusion at the top of the robot is lidar, which would be great for navigation purposes. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2024 The frontal bone is remarkably slender in shape, lacking robust muscle attachments and large bony protrusions. Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023 The Skims founder has created a line of bras with nipple-esque protrusions on the cups, to create the illusion that wearers are going braless (and cold). Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2023 Assassin caterpillars carry their potent venom inside of spiny protrusions. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 2 Oct. 2023 The spike proteins, which form the knobby protrusions coming off the main body of the virus, are like a key that the virus uses to unlock our cells, which is how a new infection begins. The Conversation, Fortune Well, 12 Sep. 2023 One of the mycologists, João Araújo, immediately recognized the purple protrusion as a new, undocumented species of predatory fungus belonging to the genus Purpureocillium. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2023 Starting in the 1920s, shipyards built passenger ships with large, bulb-like protrusions below the waterline. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'protrusion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin protrudere

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of protrusion was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near protrusion

Cite this Entry

“Protrusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/protrusion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

protrusion

noun
pro·​tru·​sion prō-ˈtrü-zhən How to pronounce protrusion (audio)
1
: the act of protruding : the state of being protruded
2
: something that protrudes

Medical Definition

protrusion

noun
pro·​tru·​sion prō-ˈtrü-zhən How to pronounce protrusion (audio)
1
: the quality or state of protruding
the protrusion of a jaw
2
: something (as an anatomical part) that protrudes

More from Merriam-Webster on protrusion

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