des-

1 of 2

prefix

: de- sense 6

—especially before vowels

desoxy

DES

2 of 2

noun

ˌdē-(ˌ)ē-ˈes 

: diethylstilbestrol

Examples of des- in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2001, the US government settled on Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) as its official algorithm, replacing the less secure Data Encryption Standard (DES). — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026

From 1945 to 1971, pregnant mothers who wanted to prevent miscarriages were prescribed the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

To learn more about Descriptive Experience Sampling and watch interviews with DES participants, visit his website. — Emily Kwong, NPR, 19 Nov. 2025

Now, to tackle the challenge, UNIST scientists turned to a special type of solvent called a deep eutectic solvent (DES). — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Prefix

French dés-, from Old French des- — more at de-

First Known Use

Noun

1970, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

DES

noun

ˌdē-(ˌ)ē-ˈes 

: diethylstilbestrol