prostate
Americanadjective
noun
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:
He has now been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
In laboratory studies, scientists used a CRISPR-based tool to change RNA inside prostate cancer cells, effectively making the tumors more visible and attractive to cancer-fighting immune cells.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
Once the MHC-1 complex was restored, immune checkpoint therapy became much more effective against the prostate tumors.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026
Stourton, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014, died on Saturday surrounded by his family, the BBC announced in a statement.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Those suffering from consumption, bronchitis, malaria, kidney, bladder, or prostate problems, asthma, or rheumatism would be welcomed with open arms, according to a promotional pamphlet.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
King Charles had made his health problem public as a way of sending a message to other men to get their prostates checked.
From BBC ● Jan. 26, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
