HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

To look up an entry in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, use the search window above. For best results, after typing in the word, click on the “Search” button instead of using the “enter” key.

Some compound words (like bus rapid transit, dog whistle, or identity theft) don’t appear on the drop-down list when you type them in the search bar. For best results with compound words, place a quotation mark before the compound word in the search window.

guide to the dictionary

thrust

(thrŭst)

v. thrust, thrust·ing, thrusts

v.tr.

1. To push or drive quickly and forcefully: thrust a pole into the ground. See Synonyms at push.

2. To cause to project or extend: poplars thrusting their branches upward; thrust out his finger.

a. To force into a specified condition or situation: He was thrust into a position of awesome responsibility.

b. To force or impose on an unwilling or improper recipient: "Some have greatness thrust upon them" (Shakespeare).

4. Archaic To stab; pierce.

v.intr.

1. To shove something into or at something else: thrust at his opponent's chest with a foil.

2. To grow or extend upwards: "The cathedral ... thrust up suddenly, much taller than the surrounding houses" (Leonard Michaels).

3. To force one's way; press forward: "I watched a young hare thrust through periwinkle under the window" (Sam Pickering).

a. A forceful shove or push: inserted the key with a thrust.

b. A lunge or stab.

a. A driving force or pressure.

b. The forward-directed force developed in a jet or rocket engine as a reaction to the high-velocity rearward ejection of exhaust gases.

c. Outward or lateral stress in a structure, as that exerted by an arch or vault.

a. The essential meaning; the point: the general thrust of his remarks.

b. The central purpose or objective: The whole thrust of the project was to make money.

4. A forceful movement, especially an advance or attack by an armed force.

[Middle English thrusten, from Old Norse thrȳsta; see treud- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

thrustful adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

American Heritage Dictionary Products

HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

THE USAGE PANEL

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY APP

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY BLOG

INTERESTED IN DICTIONARIES?

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

American Heritage Dictionary Products