ENGLISH
REFERENCE

thrust

v. · n.
US //ˈθɹəst// UK //θɹˈʌst// thrust
Irregular verb past thrust past participle thrust
  1. 1 to push forcefully (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to push something or someone suddenly and with a lot of force.

    to push or drive something with sudden, significant force in a specific direction.

    Example

    He thrust the heavy door open and ran into the street.

    Example

    The crowd surged forward, and she was thrust against the metal railing by the sheer weight of the people behind her.
  2. 2 to force upon (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to force someone to accept or deal with something they did not want.

    to force someone to accept a responsibility, role, or situation against their will or without preparation.

    Example

    The leadership of the company was thrust upon him after the CEO resigned.

    Example

    He found himself thrust into the international spotlight, a position he had neither sought nor desired during his quiet academic career.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 engine power (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    the strong force that pushes a plane or rocket forward.

    the propulsive force produced by a jet engine or rocket motor to overcome drag and gravity.

    Example

    The rocket needs a huge amount of thrust to leave the Earth's atmosphere.

    Example

    Engineers worked to increase the engine's thrust-to-weight ratio to ensure the aircraft could take off from shorter runways.
  2. 4 main point (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic

    the main idea or purpose of an argument, speech, or policy.

    the principal purpose or central theme of a piece of writing, argument, or policy.

    Example

    The main thrust of her speech was that we need to protect the environment.

    Example

    While the report covered many minor issues, the central thrust of the investigation focused on systemic financial mismanagement.
  3. 5 a sudden lunge (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sudden, powerful movement forward, often with a weapon like a sword.

    a sudden or violent lunge or push, particularly a stabbing motion with a pointed weapon.

    Example

    The fencer won the match with a final, quick thrust of his blade.

    Example

    He parried the first attack but was unable to dodge the second thrust, which caught him off balance.
Origin

From Middle English þrusten, from Old Norse þrysta, from Proto-Germanic þrustijaną, possibly from Proto-Indo-European trewd-.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference