protrusion

noun
pro·​tru·​sion | \ prō-ˈtrü-zhən How to pronounce protrusion (audio) \

Definition of protrusion

1 : something (such as an anatomical part or excrescence) that protrudes
2 : the act of protruding : the state of being protruded

Keep scrolling for more

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.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Taurasi, who had surgery for disc protrusion in April, had been cleared to play for the Phoenix Mercury’s game against the Connecticut Sun and was in the starting lineup after missing the first 13 games. Lori Riley, courant.com, "Sun spoil Taurasi’s season debut, beat Phoenix 79-64 to snap five-game skid," 13 July 2019 The blunted nose with protrusion on top is the ASARS-2 advanced synthetic aperture radar system. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Watch A U-2 Spy Plane Pilot Suit Up and Take Off on a Mission Over the Middle East," 20 Mar. 2019 The consequent protrusion, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, may help reduce the chance of a crease developing in the middle of the screen over time, one of the people said. latimes.com, "Samsung completes folding phone redesign after screen failures," 4 July 2019 Now, denticles, the toothlike protrusions that cover the skin of sharks, can be added to the list. Quanta Magazine, "Ancient Turing Pattern Builds Feathers, Hair — and Now, Shark Skin," 2 Jan. 2019 Hacienda staff noticed the protrusion on the women's abdomen months before, the policereport said. Bree Burkitt, azcentral, "Police report: Behavior of Hacienda nurse accused of raping patient changed in months before birth," 13 June 2019 How about those pouch-like protrusions bulging from underneath larger clouds? Catherine Zuckerman, National Geographic, "Clouds, explained," 24 Apr. 2019 His coach, Alberto Salazar, revealed two weeks later that Rupp had surgery after the race to fix a condition called Haglund’s deformity, a bone protrusion in his left heel that had worn on his Achilles tendon and partially tore it. Shannon Ryan, chicagotribune.com, "Galen Rupp, who won the Chicago Marathon in 2017, is recovering from an Achilles injury," 7 June 2019 Much recent effort also focuses on finding biomarkers for TNTs to distinguish them from similar-looking structures like filopodia, long cellular protrusions that are used for sensing and locomotion. Quanta Magazine, "Cells Talk and Help One Another via Tiny Tube Networks," 23 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'protrusion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of protrusion

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for protrusion

Latin protrudere

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for protrusion

protrusion

noun

English Language Learners Definition of protrusion

: a part that sticks out
: the act of sticking out or the condition of something that sticks out

protrusion

noun
pro·​tru·​sion | \ prō-ˈtrü-zhən How to pronounce protrusion (audio) \

Medical Definition of protrusion

1 : the quality or state of protruding the protrusion of a jaw
2 : something (as an anatomical part) that protrudes

Keep scrolling for more