prod

¹ American  

[prod] / prɒd /

verb (used with object)

prodded, prodding

1. to poke or jab with or as if with something pointed.

   I prodded him with my elbow.

2. to rouse or incite as if by poking; nag; goad.

   Synonyms:

   excite, prompt, stir, impel

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noun

1. the act of prodding; a poke or jab.

2. any of various pointed instruments used as a goad, especially an electrified rod that administers a mild shock.

   a cattle prod.

Prod ² American  

[prod] / prɒd /

noun

Chiefly Ulster Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a Protestant, especially an Anglo-Irish Protestant.

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prod. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. produce.

2. produced.

3. producer.

4. product.

5. production.

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prod ¹ British  

/ prɒd /

verb

1. to poke or jab with or as if with a pointed object

2. (tr) to rouse or urge to action

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noun

1. the act or an instance of prodding

2. a sharp or pointed object

3. a stimulus or reminder

prod. ² British  

abbreviation

1. produce

2. produced

3. product

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Prod ³ British  

/ prɒd /

noun

1. derogatory another word for Protestant

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Other Word Forms

• prodder noun
• unprodded adjective

Etymology

Origin of prod¹

First recorded in 1525–35; origin uncertain

Origin of Prod²

By shortening; d probably reflects the voicing or flap characteristic of some Ulster accents

Explanation

A teacher might use a verbal prod when students aren't participating in class. A prod is an encouragement, like the threat of a quiz. Just hope the teacher doesn't use the kind of prod a rancher uses to keep cattle moving! Prod can also be a verb that refers to a soft poke or a nudge, like when you prod someone in the ribs with your finger. It can also describe verbal encouragement that's used when you want something or want to know something. For example, you might prod your sister into helping you do your math homework.

Example Sentences

Ms. Joselit vividly captures Kaplan’s fervor to fulfill his self-appointed life mission to prod American Jews forward from their 19th-century diaspora ghettoes into the freedoms of 20th-century America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Activist investors often prod companies to spin off businesses to generate value.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

At several points, Ratner intervenes to prod Trump into sharing more about herself.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

The tax-refund money may prod along both 2026 GDP growth and inflation rates, he noted.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

Then she picked up another thorn and used it to poke and prod at the first one.

From "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park

Related Words

• goad
• motivate
• prompt
• propel
• provoke
• remind
• spur
• stimulate