projector

noun

pro·​jec·​tor prə-ˈjek-tər How to pronounce projector (audio)
1
: one that plans a project
specifically : promoter
2
: one that projects: such as
a
: a device for projecting a beam of light
b
: an optical instrument for projecting an image upon a surface
c
: a machine for projecting movies on a screen
3
: an imagined line from an object to a surface along which projection takes place

Examples of projector in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Participants also have the chance to win prizes including soccer equipment, outdoor space projectors, a vintage record player, and tickets to San Jose Earthquakes and Bay FC games. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 20 July 2025 Make your next movie night or presentation a smashing success with these Prime Day projector deals. —Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 14 July 2025 The price of a projector almost always goes up exponentially with its ANSI figure. —Clint Davis, People.com, 13 July 2025 Today is your last chance to save 26% on a top value for money star projector with one of the best Amazon Prime Day star projector deals. —Alexander Cox, Space.com, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for projector

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of projector was in 1596

Phrases Containing projector

Rhymes for projector

See All Rhymes for projector

Browse Nearby Words

project onto
projector
projecture
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Projector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/projector. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

projector

noun
pro·​jec·​tor prə-ˈjek-tər How to pronounce projector (audio)
: a machine for projecting an image or pictures upon a surface
a motion-picture projector
a slide projector

More from Merriam-Webster on projector

Nglish: Translation of projector for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about projector

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All