English Dictionary

Definition of “thrust

thrust (θrʌstPronunciation for thrust

Definitions

verb

Word forms: thrusts, thrusting, thrust
  1. (tr) to push (someone or something) with force or sudden strength  ⇒ she thrust him away she thrust it into the fire 
  2. (tr) to force or impose upon (someone) or into (some condition or situation)  ⇒ they thrust extra responsibilities upon her she was thrust into the limelight 
  3. (tr) through to pierce; stab
  4. (intr; usually foll by through or into) to force a passage or entrance
  5. (intr) to push forwards, upwards, or outwards
  6. (intr) at to make a stab or lunge at (a person or thing)

noun

  1. a forceful drive, push, stab, or lunge
  2. a force, esp one that produces motion
    1. a propulsive force produced by the fluid pressure or the change of momentum of the fluid in a jet engine, rocket engine, etc
    2. a similar force produced by a propeller
  3. a pressure that is exerted continuously by one part of an object, structure, etc, against another, esp the axial force by or on a shaft
  4. geology 
    1. the compressive force in the earth's crust that produces recumbent folds and thrust or reverse faults
    2. See thrust fault
  5. civil engineering a force exerted in a downwards and outwards direction, as by an arch or rafter, or the horizontal force exerted by retained earth
  6. force, impetus, or drive  ⇒ a man with thrust and energy 
  7. the essential or most forceful part  ⇒ the thrust of the argument 

Word Origin

C12: from Old Norse thrysta;  related to Latin trūdere; see intrude

Usage examples

  • He was thrust back into his tight-fitting sports seat with a look of serious discomfort on his face.
    Val McDermid, DEAD BEAT (2002)
  • The outlook of the Wanless report accords with the broader thrust of government health policy, for which funding has been generous (10).
    Spiked (2005)
  • The only public policy thrust saving universities has come from Ottawa, not the provincial governments.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • Liverpool began the second half brightly with Andy Nicholas in particular providing the thrust from full-back.
    Liverpool Daily Post and Echo (2003)
  • Those English had locked their shields and they thrust them forward to meet the charge.
    Bernard Cornwell, The Grail Quest (3) HERETIC (2004)

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