prostate

American  

[pros-teyt] / ˈprɒs teɪt /

adjective

1. Also prostatic of or relating to the prostate gland.

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noun

1. prostate gland.

prostate British  

/ ˈprɒsteɪt /

noun

1. Also called: prostate gland.  a gland in male mammals that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra and secretes a liquid constituent of the semen

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adjective

1. Also: prostatic.  of or relating to the prostate gland See also PSA

Other Word Forms

• postprostate adjective
• preprostatic adjective
• subprostatic adjective

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

Sir Chris Hoy has described how his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis has taught him how to get the best out of life.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

It wasn’t just the incident with the gown, or the geneticist assuring me that prostate cancer would be my major BRCA-related concern.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Sure enough, I tested positive for BRCA1, and now my doctors and I are on high alert not just for breast cancer but also linked cancers like prostate and pancreatic cancer.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Current phase 1 and phase 2 trials are testing 2141-V11 against several difficult-to-treat cancers, including bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and glioblastoma.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

He was in the bed nearer the door, separated by a curtain from his roommate: the Hampden County postmaster, as we later discovered, who was in for a prostate operation.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt