pro

[ proh ]

adverb

in favor of a proposition, opinion, etc.

noun,plural pros.

a proponent of an issue; a person who upholds the affirmative in a debate.
an argument, consideration, vote, etc., for something.

Origin of pro

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English, from Latin prō (preposition) “in favor of, on behalf of,” akin to Greek pró, Sanskrit pra; see also for, per

Compare con¹.

Other definitions for pro (2 of 8)

pro²

[ proh ]

adjective

professional.

noun,plural pros.

a professional.
the pros, the professional athletic leagues, as of football, baseball, or basketball: He's sure to be signed by the pros.

Origin of pro

First recorded in 1840–50; by shortening

Other definitions for pro (3 of 8)

pro³

[ proh ]

noun,plural pros.Slang.

prophylactic (def. 5).

Origin of pro

First recorded in1945–50; by shortening

Other definitions for pro (4 of 8)

pro⁴

[ proh ]

prepositionLatin.

for.

Other definitions for Pro (5 of 8)

Pro

abbreviationBiochemistry.

proline.

Other definitions for PRO (6 of 8)

PRO

public relations officer.

Other definitions for pro- (7 of 8)

pro-¹

a prefix indicating favor for some party, system, idea, etc., without identity with the group (pro-British; pro-Communist; proslavery), having anti- as its opposite.
a prefix of priority in space or time having especially a meaning of advancing or projecting forward or outward, and also used to indicate substitution, attached widely to stems not used as words: provision; prologue; proceed; produce; protract; procathedral; proconsul.

Origin of pro-

⁷

<Latin prō-,pro-, combining form representing prōpro¹

Other definitions for pro- (8 of 8)

pro-²

a prefix identical in meaning with pro-1 , occurring in words borrowed from Greek (prodrome) or formed of Greek (and occasionally Latin) elements.

Origin of pro-

⁸

<Greek, combining form of pró for, before; see pro¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pro in a sentence

That Stone would slander the democratic, pro-Western, EuroMaidan revolution as a CIA coup is no surprise.
Oliver Stone’s Latest Dictator Suckup | James Kirchick | January 5, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
But failing that, he advised pro-immigration reform Republican candidates such as former Gov. Jeb Bush to just skip the state.
Can This Republican Bring the GOP Back to Its Senses on Immigration? | Tim Mak | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
How did you make the transition from pro surfer to modeling?
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer-Cum-Model, Rides The Viral Internet Wave | James Joiner | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Even in places as blue-leaning as Colorado, Latino support for pro-growth Republicans has been growing.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats | Joel Kotkin | December 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Counter-protestors marched to confront the pro-police contingent, separated by barricades and uniformed officers.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters | Jacob Siegel | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

In addition, the currency notes of the Government served in the place pro tanto of the Bank of England notes.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur Phillips
“Lecompton” constitution of Kansas was a pro-slavery document which Buchanan favoured.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Nam Sacerdos ille, qui huc ante nos aduenerat, nostro statim adutu in Galliam sua ipse sponte & pro veteri desiderio remigrauit.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614 | Various
Domi primm dedimus operam, vt pro nostris viribus officium Ecclesiasticum ne deesset.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614 | Various
During the ingenuous apologia pro vita sua Miss Anne regarded him with her honest candour.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. Locke

British Dictionary definitions for pro (1 of 5)

pro¹

/ (prəʊ) /

adverb

in favour of a motion, issue, course of action, etc: Compare anti

preposition

in favour of

nounplural pros

(usually plural) an argument or vote in favour of a proposal or motion: See also pros and cons
(usually plural) a person who votes in favour of a proposal, motion, etc

Origin of pro

from Latin prō (prep) in favour of

See con 2

British Dictionary definitions for pro (2 of 5)

pro²

/ (prəʊ) /

nounplural pros

informal short for professional
slang a prostitute

the internet domain name for

professional practitioner

adjective

informal short for professional

Origin of pro

C19: by shortening

British Dictionary definitions for PRO (3 of 5)

PRO

abbreviation for

Public Records Office
public relations officer

British Dictionary definitions for pro- (4 of 5)

pro-¹

prefix

in favour of; supporting: pro-Chinese
acting as a substitute for: proconsul; pronoun

Origin of pro-

⁴

from Latin prō (adv and prep). In compound words borrowed from Latin, prō- indicates: forward, out (project); forward and down (prostrate); away from a place (prodigal); onward in time or space (proceed); extension outwards (propagate); before in time or place (provide, protect); on behalf of (procure); acting as a substitute for (pronominal); and sometimes intensive force (promiscuous)

British Dictionary definitions for pro- (5 of 5)

pro-²

prefix

before in time or position; anterior; forward: prophase; procephalic; prognathous

Origin of pro-

⁵

from Greek pro (prep) before (in time, position, rank, etc)

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

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