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

For two founders with a prototype, it is almost disqualifying.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 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 secured a Defense Department contract to develop three truck prototypes based on its F-Series super-duty pickups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Commercial rockets will carry the two lander prototypes into space.

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 three Fischers, prototypes of Talmudic scholars, were always studying: Joan her textbooks; Regina her medical tomes; and Bobby the latest chess periodical.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

“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

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 prototyped a new way,” Grignon says of the early device.

From The Verge ● Jun. 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

The office is a “creation hub,” she said, where influencers can record Puma’s design prototyping lab supported by libraries of materials and equipment used to create Puma apparel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2026

“As an average consumer, I have access to rapid prototyping equipment that costs millions of dollars and takes specialty training to operate.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 16, 2026

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