prototype

noun pro·to·type \ ˈprō-tə-ˌtīp \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: prototype in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of prototype

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 and usually functional form of a new type or design of a construction (such as an airplane)

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Examples of prototype in a Sentence

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 of prototype from the Web

To test their prototype, Stephens called Will Hurd, a Republican congressperson whose district includes the nation’s longest stretch of land bordering Mexico.

— steven levy, WIRED, "Inside Palmer Luckey’s Bid to Build A Border Wall," 11 June 2018
There, teams showed judges their prototype and demonstrated it.

— susan snyder, Philly.com, "Lehigh University students finalists for $1 million prize," 25 May 2018
Their prototype drew praise from executives throughout the company, including Chief Executive Satya Nadella, whose son Zain was born in 1996 with cerebral palsy.

— sarah e. needleman, WSJ, "Disabled Gamers Get a New Controller From Microsoft," 17 May 2018
Their prototype can condense and collect between 10 and 20 liters every day in full sun conditions, Gan says.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "Could This Low-Cost Device Provide Clean Drinking Water To Those In Need?," 17 May 2018
Launching its first prototype in 1993, by the late ’90s TouchTunes distinguished itself as a leader in digital jukeboxes, anticipating the MP3 as the next wave in music storage and playback.

— lauren michele jackson, The Atlantic, "Digital Jukeboxes Make Every Bar’s Vibe the Same," 8 May 2018
His prototype of the robot arm has performed its first technical tests successfully, and will start pre-clinical tests this year.

— laura yan, Popular Mechanics, "This Robot Surgeon Will Drill Right Into Your Skull," 28 Apr. 2018
Physically, the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Scott shares qualities with Marques Colston and Brandon Coleman, and the Saints have been looking for players that fit their prototypes at the position.

— josh katzenstein, NOLA.com, "New Orleans Saints final 2018 mock draft: Bulking up on defense," 24 Apr. 2018
Last month, Jack's opened its new prototype in Etowah County's Southside.

— william thornton, AL.com, "Jack's opens 150th restaurant, plans 15 locations, to hire 500 this year," 13 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prototype.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of prototype

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1552

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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prototype Synonyms

PROTOTYPE Defined for English Language Learners

prototype

noun

Definition of prototype for English Language Learners

: an original or first model of something from which other forms are copied or developed
: someone or something that has the typical qualities of a particular group, kind, etc.
: a first or early example that is used as a model for what comes later