prostate

American  

[pros-teyt] / ˈprɒs teɪt /

adjective

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

---

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

---

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

They miss a large percentage of early-stage cancers, particularly breast and prostate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Ingesting too much of the toxin may also cause cancers of the kidney and prostate, it says.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Biotin can interfere with certain blood tests used to monitor cancers, including prostate, thyroid, ovarian and breast cancers.

From Science Daily • May 7, 2026

He was calling to tell her that his prostate cancer had returned.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 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