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:
Other stars sending support included Ulrika Jonsson, Amanda Abbington, Edgar Wright, Piers Morgan and Sir Chris Hoy, the Olympic cycling champion who was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, who wrote: "Keep going Lucy."
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
The Daily Mirror carries an exclusive interview with football pundit Chris Kamara, who has revealed that he had a prostate cancer scare after a routine blood test.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
He has now been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
In some patients, however, the disease becomes aggressive and spreads beyond the prostate, most often to the lymph nodes and bones.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026
Ruth has diabetes, and Peter has prostate trouble.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
That happens about 5 percent to 10 percent of the time, Dr. Bryer estimated, although one study reported that prostate cancers were found 26 percent of the time when men were treated for enlarged prostates.
From New York Times ● Feb. 6, 2024
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 publicity around the king’s surgery is seen as an opportunity to encourage other men to have their prostates checked in line with public health advice.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 18, 2024
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.
