prosthesis

noun

pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
ˈpräs-thə-
plural prostheses präs-ˈthē-ˌsēz How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
ˈpräs-thə-
: an artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the body
upper and lower limb prostheses
a postmastectomy breast prosthesis
removable dental prostheses

Examples of prosthesis in a Sentence

She was fitted with a prosthesis to replace her missing leg.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Add a little snake prosthesis, and there’s your non-bitey rattlesnake. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 May 2026 One child, for example, took her very first steps using a prosthesis provided through the foundation. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 18 June 2026 Osteoarthritis has no cure, and the only remedies are the implantation of a prosthesis or some treatment for pain. — Javier Carbajal, Wired News, 1 May 2026 Mwangi began in 2017 by knitting hats and scarves, then met a woman who was knitting a prosthesis. — ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prosthesis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, addition, from prostithenai to add to, from pros- in addition to + tithenai to put — more at pros-, do

First Known Use

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosthesis was circa 1900

Rhymes for prosthesis

See All Rhymes for prosthesis

Browse Nearby Words

prostheca
prosthesis
prosthetic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prosthesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosthesis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

prosthesis

noun
pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
ˈpräs-thə-
plural prostheses -ˌsēz How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
: an artificial device that replaces a missing part of the body
prosthetic
präs-ˈthet-ik
adjective

Medical Definition

prosthesis

noun
pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs, ˈpräs-thə- How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
plural prostheses -ˌsēz How to pronounce prosthesis (audio)
: an artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the body
transtibial prostheses
a postmastectomy breast prosthesis
biological and mechanical heart valve prostheses

More from Merriam-Webster on prosthesis

Nglish: Translation of prosthesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prosthesis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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