To prod means to poke or push something with a finger, stick, or other pointed object. You might prod a sleeping dog gently with your toe to wake it up, or prod a suspicious-looking log with a stick before sitting on it to make sure nothing's hiding underneath.

The word also means to encourage or urge someone to take action, especially when they're being slow or reluctant. A teacher might prod a daydreaming student to pay attention, or your parents might prod you to finish your homework when you keep putting it off. When you prod someone this way, you're giving them a little push (not literally) to get moving.

A prod can also be a noun: the stick itself that you poke with, or the act of poking. A cattle prod is a tool farmers use to guide livestock.

The feeling of prodding is persistent but not aggressive. It's gentler than shoving or demanding, more like a reminder: “Hey, don't forget about this.” When someone needs prodding, they need those regular little reminders to keep them on track. Some people work better with occasional prodding, while others stay motivated on their own.