
- Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of project in English
Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio
- The government has given the go-ahead for a multi-billion-pound road-building project.
- The cost of the project has increased dramatically since it began .
- A large portion of the company's profit goes straight back into new projects.
- Has she had any experience of managing large projects?
- I want to thank you all for the time and energy you have put into this project, and for your part in making it such a success .
- accommodation
- arrangement
- exit strategy
- formulation
- have a card up your sleeve idiom
- package deal
- policy-maker
- policy-making
- preparation
- programmatic
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Want to learn more?
Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge. Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence.
project verb ( CALCULATE )
- algebraically
- algorithmic
- guesstimate
- interpolate
- linear equation
- mathematical
- miscalculate
- miscalculation
- number-crunching
- triangulation
project verb ( THROW )
- throw something in
project verb ( MAKE AN IMAGE )
- camera obscura
- happy slapping
- high-resolution
- photojournalism
- photojournalist
project verb ( STICK OUT )
- overhanging
- protuberant
project | American Dictionary
Project noun ( piece of work ), project noun ( building ), project | business english, examples of project, collocations with project.
These are words often used in combination with project .
Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.
Translations of project
Get a quick, free translation!
- {{randomImageQuizHook.copyright1}}
- {{randomImageQuizHook.copyright2}}
Word of the Day
twice the size, amount, price, etc., or consisting of two similar things together

Watch your back! Idioms with the word ‘back’

Learn more with +Plus
- Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
- Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
- Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
- English–Dutch Dutch–English
- English–French French–English
- English–German German–English
- English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
- English–Italian Italian–English
- English–Japanese Japanese–English
- English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
- English–Polish Polish–English
- English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
- English–Spanish Spanish–English
- Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
- project (CALCULATE)
- project (THROW)
- project your voice
- project (MAKE AN IMAGE)
- project (STICK OUT)
- project (PIECE OF WORK)
- project (BUILDING)
- Business Noun Verb
- Collocations
- Translations
- All translations
Add project to one of your lists below, or create a new one.
{{message}}
Something went wrong.
There was a problem sending your report.
- Top Definitions
- Related Content
- New Word List
- to throw forward an image of (a figure or the like) by straight lines or rays, either parallel, converging, or diverging, that pass through all its points and reproduce it on another surface or figure.
- to transform the points (of one figure) into those of another by a correspondence between points.
OTHER WORDS FOR project
Origin of project, synonym study for project, other words from project, words nearby project, words related to project, how to use project in a sentence.
Interviews were conducted in Arizona, Florida and North Carolina as part of a joint project by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Cook Political Report.
The project took data on the soil and slopes across California and then included wildfire risk and climate project ions, and used that to show which roadways were vulnerable to post-fire debris flows.
Launching a project to grow more palm oil on less land was the easy part, he knew.
We urge more investors to invest capital into high-impact project s where everyone succeeds as a result.
That project began in 2018 with Kerri Evelyn Harris's campaign, and the vote patterns today will reveal whether the left can make more gains with suburbanites.
I started just writing these songs, at first it felt like a project or something.
Thus begins an episode of The Mindy Project centered around a guy trying to have butt sex with his girlfriend.
Riots broke out in 1994, after Iranian authorities replaced a Sunni mosque in Mashad with a development project .
Gurley was gunned down on Nov. 20, when a pair of cops was patrolling the rough housing project .
Opechatesgays.com is one project of a much larger organization, EthicalOil.org—and here is where things get really interesting.
The worthy knight not being now alive to veto the project , a figure of him has been placed opposite the College in Edmund Street.
Her black eyes were fixed intently on his face, but she was thinking, weighing in her mind some suddenly-formed project .
Very soon I induced my directors to adopt the view that the railway company must encourage and help the project .
New York is like one of those nightmares a certain class of writers project and label 'Earth in the Year 2000.'
The project of a congress was accordingly abandoned, and everywhere recrimination gave place to rejoicing.
British Dictionary definitions for project
- a task requiring considerable or concerted effort, such as one by students
- the subject of such a task
- (intr) (esp of a child) to believe that others share one's subjective mental life
- to impute to others (one's hidden desires and impulses), esp as a means of defending oneself Compare introject
Word Origin for project
- More from M-W
- To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In
Definition of project
(Entry 1 of 2)
Definition of project (Entry 2 of 2)
transitive verb
intransitive verb
- arrangement
- ground plan
- master plan
- pooch [ chiefly dialect ]
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.
design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony.
plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions.
scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest.
project often stresses imaginative scope and vision.
Example Sentences
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'project.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback .
Word History
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
Anglo-French projecter , from Latin projectus , past participle
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing project
- housing project
- project oneself
- project onto
- project one's voice
- counter - project
- sub - project
Dictionary Entries Near project
Cite this entry.
“Project.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/project. Accessed 3 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
Kids definition of project.
Kids Definition of project (Entry 2 of 2)
Medical Definition
Medical definition of project, more from merriam-webster on project.
Nglish: Translation of project for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of project for Arabic Speakers
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!
Word of the Day
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
What Did You Just Call Me?

- Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet .
- Complimentary Insulting

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words

The distinction between the two is clear (now).

Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl...

Look up any year to find out

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. Wh...

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean ...

Both words imply motion, but the difference may b...

The fascinating story behind many people's favori...

Can you handle the (barometric) pressure?
Take the quiz

Who’s who of the zoo crew

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get...

Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...

- Britannica Homepage
- Ask the Editor
- Word of the Day
- Core Vocabulary
- Most Popular
- Browse the Dictionary
- My Saved Words
- project (noun)
- project (verb)
- housing project (noun)
- an ambitious project
- a research/construction project
- The repair turned out to be quite a project . [=it took a lot of time and effort to do]
- a science project
- They grew up in the projects .
- He projected next year's costs as being slightly higher than this year's.
- It's difficult to project funding needs so far into the future.
- The new building is projected to be finished in the fall.
- The actual cost was much higher than the projected cost.
- What is the projected [= expected ] date of completion?
- The machine projects motion pictures on/onto a screen.
- He projects strength.
- an athlete who projects a positive image to young people
- We need an actor who projects a tough-guy image.
- He tried to project himself as a strong leader. [=to act in a way that would make people see him as a strong leader]
- Two balconies projected [= extended ] out over the seats below.
- The fountain projects a slender column of water high into the air.
- You need to project your voice better if you want to be an actor. [=you need to speak louder and more clearly if you want to be an actor]
- The success of his first movie suddenly projected [= threw ] him into an unfamiliar world of wealth and fame.
project onto
- She projected her fears onto him. [=she thought that he had the same fears she had]
- About Us & Legal Info
- Partner Program
- Privacy Notice
- Terms of Use
- Pronunciation Symbols
- Contact sales
- Start free trial
Project Definition: The Meaning of a Project

What is the definition of a project, exactly? We talk a lot about specific facets of project management, but it’s sometimes valuable to start at the root and dig into the basics.
In order to fully understand high-level project management concepts, it’s important to know the simple answers. When you can call on this knowledge, more complicated concepts are easier to master. Whether you’re the project manager or a stakeholder, give your next project definition with these project management tips in mind.

Project Definition
A project is a set of tasks that must be completed in order to arrive at a particular goal or outcome. Depending on the size and scope of the project, these tasks may be simple or elaborate, but all projects can be broken down into objectives and what needs to be done to achieve them.

Organizations and individuals manage projects with a wide range of objectives. These can take many forms, from constructing a building to planning an event and even completing a certain duty. Retailers, for example, may pursue projects that improve the way they track order fulfillment. Construction teams complete projects any time they plan and build something—and so on!
7 Key Project Terms to Know
No matter the project, there are universal project terms that are used regardless of project type, project size or any other factor. Know these seven terms like the back of your hand and you’ll be a step ahead before the project begins:
1. Project Lifecycle
The project lifecycle refers to the five phases all projects must progress through, from start to finish. The five phases of a project lifecycle serve as the most basic outline that gives a project definition. These five phases are initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closure.
2. Project Scope
Project scope is a key aspect of the project planning stage. In many ways, it is the starting point. Determining project scope requires the project manager and their team to set goals and objectives, detail deliverables, create tasks, establish important dates and more. Project scope defines desired outcomes and all specific factors which will affect reaching them.
3. Stakeholder
A stakeholder refers to anyone and everyone involved in a project. A stakeholder can be involved at every stage of the project, or just in a certain way. Stakeholder analysis helps categorize how investors, team members, vendors, contractors and more can affect your project.
4. Deliverable
A deliverable refers to the specific outcome(s) a project creates. Deliverables can be “tangible” or “intangible,” meaning they can be a physical product or something conceptual. Typically, deliverables are the need that inspired the project in the first place. If someone contracts a builder to design and construct an office space, the office is a tangible deliverable.
5. Milestone
Milestones are predetermined achievements that help track project progress. Think of milestones as checkpoints. These checkpoints are decided on before a project begins, so the project manager and team know when they are on track to achieve deliverables. Without milestones, it’s difficult to know if the project is on the road to success or needs to reroute.
6. Resources
A resource is anything necessary to complete a project. In a construction project, materials are an essential resource. That said, other resources — like time, labor and equipment — are just as important. A project manager must be able to identify all of the project resources in order to create a resource plan and manage the resources accordingly. When resources are left unaccounted for, it is easy to mismanage them.
7. Dependencies
Project dependencies refer to how resources must be shared and allocated within a project. Many projects will use the same physical materials for different purposes and across different stages. Understanding this dependency is the only way to ensure there is enough of resource to go around. Similarly, all projects are broken down into tasks. When one task cannot begin before another is completed, these tasks share a dependency.
What it Means to Work on a Project
Whether it’s the project manager, a team member or any other project stakeholder, they’re a member of the greater project team and their actions directly affect other team members. Like any team, you “win” or “lose” as a unit, so it’s incredibly important to communicate and listen to other team members in order to coordinate efforts and succeed. Most project mishaps and project failures are the direct results of poor communication or lack of collaboration.
Why does this matter as long as the work is getting done? Working on a project is about understanding the project as a whole just as much as it is about doing the work. The only way to see this big picture is by listening to the team and learning from one another.
What is Project Management?
The process of project management starts with the conception of the project and continues all the way through the project lifecycle. This requires detailed knowledge of company resources and how to assign them in order to complete tasks, duties, events and other projects.
A wide range of industries relies on project management methods and tools to execute projects. A few examples of these industries are construction, IT, engineering, marketing and advertising. Any team working together to reach a shared objective is engaging in some form of project management.
What Does a Project Manager Do?
A project manager is more than just a manager, in the traditional sense. This individual is the leader of the project team and oversees every aspect of the project, from beginning to end. The project manager will typically write the project plan, run team meetings, assign tasks and do quality control tests to ensure everything is running smoothly. A project manager can’t carry the entire project on their back, though. One of their key duties, in fact, is knowing how to entrust various responsibilities to team members.
With the help of their team, project managers will create project schedules and budgets. They will also create project reports throughout the project lifecycle.
As you can see, their responsibilities are widespread, but that doesn’t mean spreading too thin. Ideally, a project manager creates the foundation of the project—like the foundation of a house. They then appoint other individuals to finish out each room.
Project Definition: Best Practices for Project Management
Regardless of the project, the size of the team, or anything else, there are practices that exponentially increase the chances of success. As vital as it is to hit goals and achieve deliverables, it is just as important to create a positive culture within the project. These five tips may seem simple, but they make all the difference in the world:
Set Regular Team Check-ins
It’s easy to meet with the team “as needed,” but once a project begins it gets harder to find time in everyone’s schedule. Instead, schedule regular meetings before a project even starts. These meetings serve as check-ins where team members can give each other updates, voice concerns, ask questions, make adjustments and do anything else they may need. When these check-ins are already built into the schedule, no one is waiting to meet until there is a mishap or issue.
Part of what gives a project definition is knowing how to delegate. Whether it’s the project managers or a team member, they’ll more than likely need help with a task at some point. Now, this doesn’t mean just passing along the task to someone else. What it means is that every team member has equal responsibilities. Instead, the best project managers know how to relinquish some control and delegate to team members.
Know the Team
Everyone on the project management team should be familiar with each other’s strengths, weaknesses and specialties. For example, if a team member needs information from a different department, they should know exactly who to ask. This familiarity cuts down on lost time. It is especially important for a project manager to know their team extremely well.
When project member knows these things, they can make decisions that play to their team members’ strengths, not around their weaknesses. Knowing the team is a huge aspect of creating a positive culture within a project, as it celebrates everyone’s abilities.
Celebrate Milestones
Speaking of positive culture, never underestimate the power of taking a moment to mark meeting a milestone. Reaching one means the team has made significant progress and the project is still on track. At the very least, it’s important to announce reaching milestones during team check-ins. This keeps everyone on the same page and improves team efficacy.
Choose Superior PM Tools
Project management is an extremely complex job. Without the proper tools, it’s easy to make mistakes, become disorganized and even fail to complete the project. The best way to protect your project from these missteps is by choosing tools that simplify the entire process.
The best project management software does just that. Using project management software unleashes your team’s and the project’s full potential and takes the end result to new heights. The key is finding an intuitive, user-friendly project management software that makes no compromises in functionality.
How ProjectManager Makes Managing Projects Easy
ProjectManager is an award-winning project management software that makes managing projects easier than ever. Our cloud-based software allows the entire team to work on the project while in the field or on the go, and our modern interface combines functionality with user-friendly navigation. This means no more wasted time just trying to familiarize yourself with a new tool and more time perfecting your project definition.
Plan on Gantt Charts
Plan your projects from start to finish with ProjectManager’s powerful Gantt chart feature, which allows you to map out project tasks in phases. You can even create dependencies and set milestones. Plus, you can import Excel files and Microsoft Project files, so switching over to our software is seamless.

Track on Project Dashboards
As the project team moves forward with tasks, project managers can track every status update on our real-time dashboard that you can personalize to show the most important metrics. Every change to a task is tracked, and automatically updates the colorful, easy-to-read charts and graphs. Keeping an eye on your project’s progress has never been easier!

Get all these features and more when you use ProjectManager. All of these tools are available in our software to help you plan, track and report on your project in real time. See what it can do for you by taking this free 30-day trial run!
Related Posts
- Project Brief Template
- Stakeholder Analysis Template
- Project Proposal Template
- Project Scheduling Tips

Deliver your projects on time and under budget
Start planning your projects.
- TheFreeDictionary
- Word / Article
- Starts with
- Free toolbar & extensions
- Word of the Day
- Free content
proj•ect
- Anhima cornuta
- atrial auricle
- auricula atrii
- auricular appendage
- auricular appendix
- Capros aper
- cause to be perceived
- project manager
- projectable
- projected map display
- projection booth
- Projection of a point on a plane
- Projection of a straight line of a plane
- projection postulate
- projection print
- projection room
- projection screen
- projection television
- projectionist
- projective device
- projective geometry
- projective technique
- projective test
- projectivity
- projectization
- projectment
- prokaryotes
- prokaryotic
- Prokofiev Sergei Sergeyevich
- Prokopyevsk
- prolactinoma
- prolate cycloid
- Prolate ellipsoid
- Projective tests
- Projective topology
- Projective transformation
- Projective transformations
- Projective varieties
- Projective variety
- projectively
- Projectment
- Projecto de Desenvolvimento Educativo para Portugal
- Projecto de Intervenção do Chafariz de Dentro
- Projector Camera Systems
- projector compass
- Projector Infantry
- Projector Infantry Anti-Tank
- Projector Quantum Monte Carlo
- Projector screen
- Projector Security Mount
- Projector, Light
- Projects (housing)
- Projects and Applications
- Projects and Contracts Governance Committee
- Projects and Development India Limited
- Projects and Standards Approval Group
- Projects Based on Exchange
- Projects Development for Children Survival
- Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness
- Projects for Urban and Regional Affairs
- Projects in controlled environments
- Projects in International Development and Training
- Projects in the Jungle
- projects into
- projects it into
- projects it on
- projects it onto
- projects it upon
- Projects Management Centre
- Projects Management Partners
- Projects manager
- projects on
- Facebook Share

IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
projected; projecting; projects 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
project noun (PIECE OF WORK) [ C ] a piece of planned work or activity that is completed over a period of time and intended to achieve a particular aim: a research project construction projects Painting the bedroom is Steve’s next project. project noun (BUILDING) [ C usually pl ] a housing project Idiom project an image project verb
to propose, contemplate, or plan. to throw, cast, or impel forward or onward. verb (used without object) pro·ject [pruh-jekt] to extend or protrude beyond something else. to use one's voice forcefully enough to be heard at a distance, as in a theater. OTHER WORDS FOR project 1 proposal. 6 contrive, scheme, plot, devise. 8 predict.
The meaning of PROJECT is a specific plan or design : scheme. How to use project in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Project.
Britannica Dictionary definition of PROJECT 1 [+ object] : to plan, calculate, or estimate (something) for a time in the future He projected next year's costs as being slightly higher than this year's. It's difficult to project funding needs so far into the future. — often used as (be) projected
A project is a set of tasks that must be completed in order to arrive at a particular goal or outcome. Depending on the size and scope of the project, these tasks may be simple or elaborate, but all projects can be broken down into objectives and what needs to be done to achieve them.
Define projects. projects synonyms, projects pronunciation, projects translation, English dictionary definition of projects. n. 1. An undertaking requiring concerted ...
Based on the Project Management Institute, a project can be defined as a "temporary endeavor" aimed to drive changes in teams, organizations, or societies. The output of a project is normally a unique product, service, or result. [6] Cancellation [ edit]