prostate
Americanadjective
noun
-
prostates
plural
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of prostate
First recorded in 1640–50; from New Latin prostata, from Greek prostátēs “one standing before”; equivalent to pro- 2 + -stat
Explanation
The prostate gland is part of a man's reproductive system; it's located near his bladder and is about the size of a kiwi fruit. Prostate cancer, which is fairly common in men, is usually treatable if it is detected early. The prostate is a gland found in most male mammals. The root word is the Greek prostates, which literally means one who stands before, or protector, guardian — which describes the prostate's position in front of the bladder. Don't confuse prostate, the part of male anatomy, with prostrate a verb that describes lying down.
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:
One of Draper’s early investments was in Hybritech, which invented a PSA test for prostate cancer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
"Whispering" Bob, who presented the show for 27 years, announced his departure in June, weeks after revealing his prostate cancer has spread to his spine.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Wells, the guitarist, died of prostate cancer in 2006 at age 59.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
It’s not being pitched as a replacement for common cancer screening methods, like mammograms for breast cancer or PSA blood tests for prostate cancer.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
What can it profit a man to gain the whole world and to come to his property with a gastric ulcer, a blown prostate, and bifocals?
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
The NHS website recorded a surge in searches about enlarged prostates and the King was "delighted to learn that his diagnosis is having a positive impact on public health awareness".
From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2024
About half of men with enlarged prostates suffer no symptoms at all.
From National Geographic ● Jan. 23, 2024
The research builds upon the team’s previous work creating brain “organoids,” tiny structures resembling human organs that have also been made to represent others such as livers, kidneys, prostates, or key parts of them.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 12, 2022
Dr. Kramer said this also happens with standard screening tests, which can result in the removal of thyroid glands, breasts or prostates for small tumors that are actually harmless.
From New York Times ● Jun. 10, 2022
For many years, as prostates, he supported Spartan interests at Athens.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various
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