prolapse

1 of 2

noun

: the falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations

prolapse

2 of 2

verb

pro·​lapse prō-ˈlaps How to pronounce prolapse (audio)
prolapsed; prolapsing

intransitive verb

: to undergo prolapse

Examples of prolapse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Being over age 50 increases your risk of rectal prolapse. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 15 Oct. 2024 Other risks include umbilical cord prolapse — a medical emergency that occurs when the umbilical cord drops through the birthing canal before the baby’s head — and fetal heart rate changes, to name a few. Alyssa N. Salcedo, Journal Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2024
Verb
Regular pelvic floor exercises, says Crouch, are a great way to fend off leaking and prolapse. Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2022 About one in eight women has surgery to repair their pelvic organ prolapse during their lifetime, with a portion of those surgeries completed transvaginally using surgical mesh, according to the FDA. CBS News, 25 Sep. 2020 See all Example Sentences for prolapse 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prolapse.' 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

Noun

New Latin prolapsus, from Late Latin, fall, from Latin prolabi to fall or slide forward, from pro- forward + labi to slide — more at pro-, sleep

First Known Use

Noun

1676, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prolapse was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near prolapse

Cite this Entry

“Prolapse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prolapse. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

prolapse

1 of 2 noun
pro·​lapse prō-ˈlaps How to pronounce prolapse (audio) ˈprō-ˌ How to pronounce prolapse (audio)
: the falling down or slipping of a body part from its usual position or relations
prolapse of the uterus
prolapse of an intervertebral disc

prolapse

2 of 2 intransitive verb
pro·​lapse prō-ˈlaps How to pronounce prolapse (audio)
prolapsed; prolapsing
: to undergo prolapse

More from Merriam-Webster on prolapse

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