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

Days before spring training, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The entertainer was one of the most familiar faces on British TV for several decades before he died of prostate cancer in 2003 at the age of 75.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 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

The company aims to make up for the shortfall through fast sales growth of its Kerendia drug for kidney disease, Nubeqa for prostate cancer and Lynkuet for menopause symptoms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

The month before, Nels had been told by a doctor in Anacortes that his prostate gland had become moderately enlarged.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson