prosthesis

noun

pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs 

ˈpräs-thə-

plural prostheses präs-ˈthē-ˌsēz 

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

Krasa’s team simply trained their decoder to recognize a password patients had to imagine speaking in their heads to activate the prosthesis. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Aug. 2025

The worst part: Powell could not have so much as a sip of alcohol throughout filming, as any trace in sweat would dislodge the facial prosthesis. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025

This level of control allows the prosthesis to move in sync with the body, delivering a seamless experience that challenges the very definition of artificial limbs. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025

Stand at the top or bottom of the stairs, and watch the elderly and those struggling with canes, walkers, baby carriages and prostheses. —Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025

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

Rhymes for prosthesis

• transgresses
• arthrodesis
• catechesis
• diuresis
• hysteresis
• dessus
• nessus

Kids Definition

prosthesis

noun

pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs 

ˈpräs-thə-

plural prostheses -ˌsēz 

: an artificial device that replaces a missing part of the body

prosthetic

präs-ˈthet-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

prosthesis

noun

pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs, ˈpräs-thə- 

plural prostheses -ˌsēz 

: 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