prosthesis

noun

pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
ˈpräs-thə-
plural prostheses präs-ˈthē-ˌsēz How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
ˈpräs-thə-
: an artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the body
upper and lower limb prostheses
a postmastectomy breast prosthesis
removable dental prostheses

Examples of prosthesis in a Sentence

She was fitted with a prosthesis to replace her missing leg.
Recent Examples on the Web Sherman works alone, in a Tribeca studio or in a converted barn on her property in East Hampton, which are now chockablock with wigs, costumes, props, and prostheses, accreted over years of rummaging. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2024 The procedure was a success, with Aston given a wooden prosthesis. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2024 The powered ankle developed at MIT is here but only for below-knee prostheses for now. Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 Cleo's dog dad did freelance work for the nonprofit before helping to create his canine's prosthesis. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 22 Aug. 2023 The pulp semi-fiction compresses three years of Blanco’s exploits into an anti-hero-esque arc and transforms Vergara into Blanco through the heavy use of plastic prostheses and glitzy wardrobes. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2024 Helpful coping strategies for alopecia areata include: Wigs and hair pieces: Some people may wish to consider wigs, hairpieces, or hair prostheses. Heather L. Brannon, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2024 These are now considered the gold standard for above-knee prostheses. Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 And while most myoelectric prostheses run based on a series of surface electrodes placed on the skin of the user’s residual limb, these electrodes can slide around, causing the prosthesis to become unreliable. WIRED, 1 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prosthesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, addition, from prostithenai to add to, from pros- in addition to + tithenai to put — more at pros-, do

First Known Use

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosthesis was circa 1900

Dictionary Entries Near prosthesis

Cite this Entry

“Prosthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosthesis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prosthesis

noun
pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
ˈpräs-thə-
plural prostheses -ˌsēz How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
: an artificial device that replaces a missing part of the body

Medical Definition

prosthesis

noun
pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs, ˈpräs-thə- How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
plural prostheses -ˌsēz How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
: an artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the body
transtibial prostheses
a postmastectomy breast prosthesis
biological and mechanical heart valve prostheses

More from Merriam-Webster on prosthesis

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