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prolapse

American  
[proh-laps, proh-laps, proh-laps] / proʊˈlæps, ˈproʊ læps, proʊˈlæps /

noun

  1. Pathology. a falling down of an organ or part, as the uterus, from its normal position.


verb (used without object)

prolapsed, prolapsing
  1. to fall or slip down or out of place.

prolapse British  
/ ˈprəʊlæps, prəʊˈlæps /

noun

  1. Also called: prolapsus. the sinking or falling down of an organ or part, esp the womb Compare proptosis

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (of an organ, etc) to sink from its normal position

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of prolapse

First recorded in 1555–65, prolapse is from the Late Latin word prōlāpsus a slipping forth. See pro- 1, lapse


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Donna is one of an estimated 100,000 women in the UK who had the procedure to treat incontinence or prolapse.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026

The former BBC 5 Live journalist and podcaster was experiencing pelvic organ prolapse - a condition that affects around one in twelve women, but which many have never even heard of.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2025

When these muscles become overly tight or loose, patients can experience issues like pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and incontinence—which all have serious implications if left untreated.

From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2025

Most commonly caused by childbirth, prolapse occurs when pelvic organs that serve as walls supporting the vagina collapse, like the cervix or the uterus.

From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2024

Upon incision of the prolapse intra-ocular hemorrhage occurred, causing nearly total blindness for two weeks.

From Glaucoma A Symposium Presented at a Meeting of the Chicago Ophthalmological Society, November 17, 1913 by Willis O. Nance

Her son-in-law had earlier told AFP that Flores was suffering from a "prolapsed" heart, a condition that, in rare, severe cases, can cause heart failure.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

The doctors’ verdict: Devi had suffered a prolapsed uterus and would need a hysterectomy.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 20, 2023

A Czech native who came to Britain 10 years ago, she left her job cleaning offices in mid-2021 because of pain from a prolapsed pelvic organ.

From New York Times ● Jan. 9, 2023

Most of the surgery intended to fix prolapsed bowels was carried out by Tony Dixon, who was dismissed in 2019..

From BBC ● May 26, 2022

There are cases in which, through the ignorance of the midwife or the physician, prolapsed pelvic organs are mistaken for afterbirth and extracted.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Walter L. (Walter Lytle) Pyle

At nearly 18 weeks, Zurawski was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix, a condition that causes premature dilation and prolapsing membranes.

From Slate ● Mar. 7, 2023

Their eyes widen and fall at the same time as if their social skills are prolapsing, and their voice falters as they are the most honest they’ve been all year.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 18, 2016

The building next to us seems to be demolishing itself: huge ventilation panels, satellite dishes and other nondescript chunks of edifice-guttery keep prolapsing and crashing down onto its lower roof.

From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2015

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