prototype

American  

[proh-tuh-tahyp] / ˈproʊ təˌtaɪp /

noun

• prototypes
  plural

1. the original or model on which something is based or formed.

   Synonyms:

   pattern

2. someone or something that serves to illustrate the typical qualities of a class; model; exemplar.

   She is the prototype of a student activist.

3. something analogous to another thing of a later period.

   a Renaissance prototype of our modern public housing.

4. Biology. an archetype; a primitive form regarded as the basis of a group.

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verb (used with object)

prototyped, prototyping

1. to create the prototype or an experimental model of.

   to prototype a solar-power car.

prototype British  

/ ˈprəʊtəˌtaɪp /

noun

1. one of the first units manufactured of a product, which is tested so that the design can be changed if necessary before the product is manufactured commercially

2. a person or thing that serves as an example of a type

3. biology the ancestral or primitive form of a species or other group; an archetype

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prototypal
  adjective
• prototypic
  adjective
• prototypical
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• prototypes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of prototype

First recorded in 1595–1605; from New Latin prōtotypon, from Greek prōtótypon, noun use of neuter of prōtótypos “original”; see proto-, type

Explanation

A prototype is the original model, a sample on which to base future designs. A company designing a new toaster will first design and build a prototype and then test it out and see if it's any good. A prototype is your test case and becomes the model on which to base the design of the finished product. Often, however, the prototype can be a phase to work out the bugs. The prototype of our hands-free toothbrush was too dangerous; it needed to return to the lab for serious improvements. Like the word archetype, the word prototype can also mean the standard on which to base a definition of something. "A prototypical cheerleader is the girl to which all other cheerleaders might aspire."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prototype prototypes prototyped prototyping

Numerous prototype limbs litter the surfaces in Kimathi's lab.

From Barron's ● Sep. 9, 2026

His maternal grandfather, Madison T. Shockley Sr., was the multi-hyphenate prototype.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

Another prototype was a reconfigurable lamp shade containing three separate multistable switches.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

Also in the room are four young engineers crowded around a console, trying to crack the code for a prototype, a new robot that they hope will help build other robots.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

I’ve never even heard of this one before—leading me to believe it has to be a prototype or even an illegal, user-created item.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

I vividly remember going to his design studio to review the prototypes of three dolls with him, take notes and make necessary adjustments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

In the run-up to the Cybercab’s public launch, the company showed off prototypes at public events that had visible steering wheels attached to the car, people familiar with the events say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

Most of the vehicles currently on the road, even those generating revenue, are still basically prototypes, he added.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

Shtilierman, an engineer and physicist more comfortable tinkering with prototypes than managing personnel and production chains, had known Terekh for several years and valued her business acumen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

Then there are shelves displaying vintage video games and consoles, as well as prototypes of what look like the earliest versions of the NeuroLink glasses.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

“They prototyped a lot of ideas,” said Yee, a father of three who took over from Akl as chairman of the board of KidSTREAM in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

The first digital camera was prototyped in 1975 by Eastman Kodak, which owned 90% of the U.S. film market.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026

Together, they designed user interfaces, prototyped an app and coded a website based on the prototype.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

In 2019, Google revealed it has prototyped foldable devices for years.

From The Verge ● Oct. 18, 2021

“Some things can be prototyped and some things can’t,” he said.

From New York Times ● Nov. 13, 2017

The design software market faces unique risks, Radke conceded, as generative AI reduces the time and skill required for prototyping and ideation, in turn blurring the boundaries “of who a ‘designer’ is.”

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

"We've spent the last four years developing, prototyping and testing technologies… We have a team of 30 people, and growing," says Rob Meyerson, co-founder and chief executive.

From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026

As soon as they read his memo, they began prototyping his little indicator that would be known as the Moylan Arrow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 3, 2026

“When I was prototyping it, the kids loved having a game to play where they can learn and talk about it,” Yount said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2024

The computer desktop and various rapid prototyping tools brought execution closer to designers.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Mihai Nadin

Related Words

• mock-up
• model
• precursor