Projects Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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projects

[ˈprɒdʒɛkts ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

Individual or collaborative enterprises that are carefully planned to achieve a particular aim, such as creating a new product or service, developing software, or organizing an event.

Synonyms

initiative, undertaking, venture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
projects

General term for planned activities with specific goals, commonly used in both professional and educational settings.

  • The students are working on their science projects
  • The company has several projects in the pipeline for next year
venture

Often used in a business context, indicating a risky or uncertain new project or business activity.

  • They started a new venture in the tech industry
  • The venture capitalist invested in several startups
undertaking

A formal or serious term, typically used to describe significant or difficult tasks requiring effort and responsibility.

  • Building a new hospital is a massive undertaking
  • Organizing the Olympic Games is no small undertaking
initiative

Refers to the start of a new plan or process, often emphasizing the concept of taking action to improve a situation or solve a problem.

  • The government launched a new health initiative to promote fitness among citizens
  • She took the initiative to create a recycling program in her neighborhood

Examples of usage

  • Her project involved researching market trends before launching the new product.
  • The team successfully completed the construction project ahead of schedule.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To plan, organize, and execute a particular task or activity within a specific timeframe.

Synonyms

execute, organize, plan.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
projects

Same as the first entry. Refer to tasks or assignments in various settings.

  • Students often have group projects to work on
  • The firm is handling several high-profile projects right now
plan

Use this word when creating a detailed proposal or strategy for achieving something in the future.

  • We need to plan our vacation carefully
  • He has to plan his schedule around his work commitments
organize

Use this word when arranging or putting things in order, often for efficiency and clarity.

  • She needs to organize her files before the meeting
  • We should organize the event to make it more enjoyable for everyone
execute

This word is suitable when talking about carrying out a plan or task to completion, typically emphasizing the action or steps involved.

  • We need to execute the marketing strategy by next week
  • The team executed the project flawlessly

Examples of usage

  • They are currently projecting the budget for the next fiscal year.
  • She projected a timeline for the completion of the project.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • In schools, projects help students learn by doing, encouraging creativity and critical thinking.
  • Project-based learning has been shown to improve student engagement and retention of information.
  • Educational projects vary widely – from science fairs to group presentations, they can cover any subject matter.

Business

  • In the business world, projects can range from product launches to market research, driving the organization’s growth.
  • Effective project management helps teams meet deadlines, stay within budgets, and achieve set objectives.
  • Many companies use software tools to streamline project collaboration and communication among team members.

Technology

  • The rise of digital tools has transformed how projects are managed, with crowdfunding platforms emerging to support new ideas.
  • In software development, projects often follow methodologies like Agile or Waterfall to structure progress and feedback.
  • Open-source projects allow programmers globally to contribute to software development through collaborative platforms.

Art and Culture

  • Art installations can be seen as projects that reflect cultural themes and engage communities in various ways.
  • Many public projects, such as murals or community gardens, aim to beautify spaces and connect neighborhoods.
  • Creative projects in film and theater involve multiple artists collaborating to bring stories to life, showcasing teamwork.

Origin of 'projects'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'projectus', meaning 'thrown forth', indicating planning and execution.
  • In the 15th century, it was first used in English to describe a plan or design for something.
  • The term has evolved over centuries to encompass various types of organized endeavors.

The word 'project' originated from the Latin word 'projectum', which means 'something thrown forth'. It first appeared in the English language in the 14th century, with the meaning of a specific plan or design. Over time, 'project' evolved to encompass various fields such as business, engineering, and art, reflecting the diverse range of endeavors it can refer to.


See also: project, projectable, projectile, projecting, projection, projectors.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,138, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.