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

Farley also addressed The Wall Street Journal’s recent report that Ford secured a contract with the Department of Defense to build prototype tactical trucks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

A limited run of a prototype dubbed the "Doubao Phone" sold out fast in December.

From Barron's ● Jul. 19, 2026

The prototype demonstration and an extensive series of simulations were described recently in Nature Communications.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 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

I was instantly transported back to that last formal dinner at my house where he showed off his latest security prototype to my hard-to-impress mother.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

“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 exhibition gathers an abundance of archival materials, sketchbooks, architectural drawings, prototypes, models and maquettes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

The reactor designs -- whose prototypes operate under a special government waiver -- still need to be cleared by the US nuclear regulator, the NRC.

From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 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

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

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 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

But while scientists have made progress in prototyping microcombs, they have had limited success producing viable versions that can be applied in practical devices.

From Science Daily ● May 22, 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 4.0.0, 24 Jul 1996 by Raymond, Eric S.

Related Words

• mock-up
• model
• precursor