prototype

1 of 2

noun

pro·​to·​type ˈprō-tə-ˌtīp 

plural prototypes

1

: an original model on which something is patterned : archetype

2

: an individual that exhibits the essential features of a later type

3

: a standard or typical example

4

: a first full-scale or fully developed and usually functional form of a new product or service that is created to demonstrate feasibility, detect flaws, gather feedback, etc.

prototype

2 of 2

verb

prototyped; prototyping; prototypes

transitive verb

: to create a first full-scale or fully developed and usually functional form of a new type or design of (a construction, product, service, system, etc.) : to develop and produce a prototype

The technology was originally designed and prototyped by NASA scientists and is being commercialized … to support improved satellite power …

—Gulf Oil & Gas

intransitive verb

: to undertake the process of producing a prototype

To effectively prototype, start by defining the purpose of your prototype, which sets clear testing goals.

—Tabby McFarland

Did you know?

The prefix prot-, or proto-, comes from Greek and has the basic meaning "first in time" or "first formed." A prototype is someone or something that serves as a model or inspiration for those that come later. A successful fund-raising campaign can serve as a prototype for future campaigns. The legendary Robin Hood, the "prototypical" kindhearted and honorable outlaw, has been the inspiration for countless other romantic heroes. And for over a century, Vincent van Gogh has been the prototype of the brilliant, tortured artist who is unappreciated in his own time.

Synonyms of prototype

Noun

• example
• sample
• specimen
• instance

Examples of prototype in a Sentence

Noun

They tested the prototype of the car.

He is developing a prototype for his invention.

He is the prototype of a conservative businessman.

The Sherlock Holmes stories are the prototypes of modern detective stories.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

SpaceX made the announcement May 21 on its website a day before the next-generation prototype of its Starship rocket made its debut at its Starbase headquarters in South Texas. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Racing’s governing body wasn’t having it, forcing the car to compete in the more extreme prototype class instead. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 28 May 2026

Verb

Low-code allows people to prototype a concept at a low cost, validate the concept with real users, then use actual data to plan out the full platform, which saved a lot of discovery work. —Nik Froehlich, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Where there was once just one, there are now 20 modern multi-axis CNC machines for prototyping. —Brody Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Greek prōtotypon, from neuter of prōtotypos archetypal, from prōt- + typos type

Verb

derivative of prototype entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1859, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for prototype

• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype
• collotype
• genotype
• haplotype
• holotype
• hypotype
• isotype
• lectotype
• linotype

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Kids Definition

prototype

noun

pro·​to·​type ˈprōt-ə-ˌtīp 

: an original model on which something is patterned