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

Example Sentences

At other moments, he suggested the kingdom was also in Iran’s sights if it didn’t prod Washington away from war, the officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. administrations have prodded global semiconductor companies, like Taiwanese giant TSMC, to build chip factories in the U.S., so that a conflict in Asia wouldn’t cripple U.S. industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Already the men were being prodded aboard, clambering up over the high sides.

From Literature

Despite the EU’s prodding, European drivers have been reluctant to adopt electric vehicles on the scale regulators envisioned.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of Sims’s maternal uncles was a labor economist, and prodded him to enter the field.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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