# prod

/ˈpɹɑd/ (US) · /pɹˈɒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prod
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to poke

verb · CEFR B2

to push someone or something with your finger or a pointed object.

For teachers: to poke or jab with a finger, foot, or a pointed instrument.

- She prodded the cake with a toothpick to see if it was finished baking.
- The child prodded the strange insect with a stick, curious to see if it would move or fly away.

### 2. to encourage

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to try to make someone do something, especially when they are being slow.

For teachers: to stimulate or prompt someone into action, typically through persistent reminders or persuasion.

- I had to prod my brother several times before he finally cleaned his room.
- The manager had to prod the design team to meet the deadline, as they were falling behind schedule due to minor revisions.

### 3. a poke

noun · CEFR B2

a quick push with a finger or a pointed object.

For teachers: an act of poking or jabbing; a physical stimulus intended to get attention.

- He gave me a sharp prod in the ribs to stop me from laughing.
- A firm prod from the shepherd's staff was enough to get the stubborn sheep moving through the gate.

### 4. computing production

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Technical

the live version of a website or software that real users see.

For teachers: a clipping of 'production'; refers to the live environment where software is deployed for end-users.

- We shouldn't test new features in prod because it might crash the site.
- The senior engineer warned the juniors never to push unverified code directly to prod during peak traffic hours.

### 5. religious slur

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar · Dialect

an insulting word for a Protestant person.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a Protestant, primarily used in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.

- He was shouted at with a nasty slur, being called a prod by the angry crowd.
- The use of the term 'prod' in sectarian chants remains a significant issue in certain football rivalries in Glasgow.

Teaching tip: This is a highly offensive sectarian slur in the UK and Ireland; learners should recognize it but never use it.

## Examples

- She gave him a sharp prod in the ribs to wake him up.
- The manager had to prod the team several times before they finally submitted the project report.
- While the physical sensation was merely a light prod, the psychological effect was enough to make the witness reconsider their silence during the investigation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.