prostrate

American  

[pros-treyt] / ˈprɒs treɪt /

verb (used with object)

prostrated, prostrating

1. to cast (oneself ) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration.

2. to lay flat, as on the ground.

3. to throw down level with the ground.

4. to overthrow, overcome, or reduce to helplessness.

5. to reduce to physical weakness or exhaustion.

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adjective

1. lying flat or at full length, as on the ground.

   Synonyms:

   recumbent, supine, prone

2. lying face down on the ground, as in token of humility, submission, or adoration.

3. overthrown, overcome, or helpless.

   a country left prostrate by natural disasters.

4. physically weak or exhausted.

5. submissive.

6. utterly dejected or depressed; disconsolate.

7. Botany. (of a plant or stem) lying flat on the ground.

prostrate British  

adjective

1. lying with the face downwards, as in submission

2. exhausted physically or emotionally

3. helpless or defenceless

4. (of a plant) growing closely along the ground

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verb

1. to bow or cast (oneself) down, as in submission

2. to lay or throw down flat, as on the ground

3. to make helpless or defenceless

4. to make exhausted

prostrate Scientific  

/ prŏs′trāt′ /

1. Growing flat along the ground. Creeping jenny, pennyroyal, and many species of ivy have a prostrate growth habit.

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Other Word Forms

• prostration noun
• prostrative adjective
• prostrator noun
• unprostrated adjective

Etymology

Origin of prostrate

First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the adjective) Middle English prostrat, from Latin prōstrātus “lying flat,” past participle of prōsternere “to lie flat, knock down, overthrow,” from prō- pro- ¹ + sternere “to lay out, stretch, spread”; verb derivative of the adjective

Explanation

The verb prostrate means to lie face-downward in submission or despair. More generally, it means to make helpless or defenseless. Illness, injury, grief, despair — any of these things can prostrate someone. The word prostrate traces back to the Latin word prostratus, meaning “thrown down.” If you are prostrate, you feel thrown down and laid flat. It can describe lying on the ground in a helpless position, or it can be used to describe someone who has been overcome or made unable to function, such as someone who is prostrated by grief or illness.

Example Sentences

Williams’ shift from prostrate grief to helpless amusement hints at hidden dimensions of a character who will always be a couple of steps ahead of the men trying to control her.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

Department of Health and Human Services now requires consent for breast, pelvic, prostrate and rectal exams for “educational and training purposes” performed by medical students, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2024

After the assassination of Darius III by disgruntled Persian nobles that same year, however, Alexander claimed the Persian throne and introduced Persian customs to his court, such as having his subjects prostrate themselves before him.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Jefferson Davis lies prostrate at the Valentine, a downtown Richmond museum.

From New York Times • Dec. 26, 2022

Then, with a last unanimous melodious clang, they both fell prostrate on the fatal sward.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• kneel