Prototype
/ˈproʊtəˌtaɪp/
Definitions
2 meaningsAn original or preliminary model or example from which other forms are developed or copied.
/ˈproʊtəˌtaɪp/
A preliminary model or sample.
The car manufacturer unveiled the prototype of its new electric vehicle at the auto show.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a LEGO creation. A prototype is like the first version you make, before you know if all the pieces fit perfectly and if it works the way you want. It's a test version!
👶 For kids: A first try of something, like a toy or a machine.
More Examples
Before mass production, the company created a prototype to test the market's response.
The scientist used a prototype of the new medical device to test its safety and effectiveness.
How It's Used
"Engineers often build prototypes to test and refine new designs."
"The company created a prototype of the new phone to gather user feedback."
To make or create a prototype of something.
/ˈproʊtəˌtaɪp/
To create a preliminary model.
The team prototyped the new feature to get user feedback early in the development process.
💡 Simply: Prototyping is like sketching a rough draft of your idea to see if it works. You're building a quick version of something to test it out.
👶 For kids: To make a first try of something, like a toy or a machine to see if it works.
More Examples
They will prototype the new airplane wing in a wind tunnel to study its aerodynamic performance.
Before launching their new product, they prototyped different versions to test customer preferences.
How It's Used
"The developers prototyped the user interface to test its usability."
"They prototyped a small model to test the fit before producing the full size."
From Greek *prōtos* ('first') and *typos* ('impression, model'). The word entered English in the 18th century, initially referring to an original model or pattern.
The word 'prototype' began being used in the late 17th century in architecture, design, and engineering to define a model of something to be replicated.
Memory tip
Think of it as the FIRST type or model created for testing.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: prōtos