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  

/ ˌprəʊtəˈtɪpɪk, 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

A prototype for a frozen burrito with the same protein load was scrapped, because the tortilla couldn’t hold that much filling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

This month, Eve achieved its first transition flight, showing its prototype can take off vertically like a helicopter and move into flight like an airplane, which is one of the most challenging phases of development.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

SolarEdge expects to have a fully working, proof-of-concept prototype by the end of the year, and to establish pilot programs at data centers by next year.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

The full-scale prototype is set to fly toward the end of 2027, with entry into service possible from the early 2030s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Some of his neighbors, traditional live- stockers, didn’t like him much, but he was the prototype of the new breed of western man.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Zigzagging between robots, weapons and computers in his garage workshop, Ukrainian engineer Eduard Trotsenko was bubbling with excitement as he showed off his latest prototypes and dreamed of sci-fi-inspired futuristic ideas.

From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026

Ford’s Defense Department contract will see the automaker develop prototypes based on its F-Series super-duty pickups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

The mission will test whether Orion and the commercial lander prototypes can use their software to reach the same precise location at the correct time.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Now it can create highly accurate prototypes to then be made via traditional methods.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

“The prototypes are a bust,” he muttered darkly.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

“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

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

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

Frayne says the company has even prototyped holographic video content where you could, say, watch a stereoscopic 3D trailer for the next Avatar movie on the Avatar homepage and get multiple perspectives on the action.

From The Verge ● Jun. 1, 2022

Girlboss has prototyped the concept of its private social network with a Facebook group called “Girlboss Gang” that has more than 5,700 members, Ms. Amoruso added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2018

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

From New York Times ● Nov. 13, 2017

"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

QCi’s Arizona foundry, used for R&D and prototyping, has started generating early revenue, with plans for a second facility.

From Barron's ● May 11, 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

Caitlin's husband has been very patient over the past six months as she worked days fixing the ailing machinery at the sanitarium and nights prototyping my designs.

From Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow

Related Words

• mock-up
• model
• precursor