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

A prototype is expected to be ready to be installed in early 2027 for communities to see.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

In a prototype device, the researchers used a shared source of correlated light particles to entangle two separated qubits, experimentally realizing an idea that had remained theoretical for more than two decades.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 31, 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

I get a quick look inside at the prototype of Turing’s codebreaking machine.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

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

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

Krakoff said he went through a lot of prototypes before he hit on the right construction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

New entrants haven’t proved that they can transition from prototypes or limited production, according to a June report from the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

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

“Think about the fifth bullet point, the prototypes are a bust, as in they are going to explode.”

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

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

For months, Corrigan, Popa and a small team prototyped the material, which was released earlier this year by 3M under the name Cushion Lock.

From New York Times ● Nov. 28, 2022

“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

“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

“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

I'm going to need to manufacture an excuse to go stateside to explain this to them and supervise the prototyping.

From Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow

Related Words

• mock-up
• model
• precursor