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 was assembled in a garage in early 2023, with seven aircraft then built in just three weeks.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

During each docking and undocking sequence, the lander prototype will act as the target while Orion serves as the chaser spacecraft.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Last year, most US intelligence agencies and departments surmised that it was "very unlikely" that a foreign actor used "a novel weapon or prototype device to harm" US personnel and their families.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

Their startup, Nova Cottage Co., co-founded by the Pasadena-based technology incubator Idealab, has built a prototype studio cottage that has the interior amenities of a traditional home without the structural demands.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

Long before America’s aircraft manufacturers placed one of their newly conceived flying machines into production, they sent a working prototype to the Langley laboratory so that the design could be tested and improved.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Commercial rockets will carry the two lander prototypes into space.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026

Susanne Bieller, general secretary of the International Federation of Robotics, said humanoids with flashy skills that have impressed the public are often prototypes trained for a highly tailored demo.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

“As Freddy’s continues to grow, we remain focused on supporting our franchisees through new restaurant prototypes, greater real estate flexibility, and development strategies that help position the brand for sustainable growth.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Liberland isn't an outlier - it's one of several prototypes of such micronations, areas claimed as independent nations but not legally recognised as such.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

The box was filled with all sorts of confusing knickknacks: hand-whittled prototypes for game pieces; a star-spangled, red-white-and-blue “H-H-H Humphrey” button; a battered clasp envelope sealed up with tons of tape.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

“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

Years ago, a handful of input engineers and key designers had prototyped multitouch-focused interaction demos, followed by the Q79 tablet project — an experimental early stab at an iPad-like device.

From The Verge ● Jun. 13, 2017

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

Although post-processing steps can be used to create smooth surfaces, these approaches add time and complexity, which takes away the rapid prototyping advantage associated with tomographic printing.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2024

Since around 1990 Perl has rapidly been gaining favor, especially as a tool for systems-administration utilities and rapid prototyping.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.

Related Words

• mock-up
• model
• precursor