prosthesis

noun

pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs 

ˈpräs-thə-

plural prostheses präs-ˈthē-ˌsēz 

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

How much could the animal sense its phantom limb or prosthesis? —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024

As delivered, an above-knee running prosthesis costs about $21,000. —Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

The final element of the running prosthesis is the socket. —Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

The author of Cyborg: Digital Destiny and Human Potential in the Age of the Wearable Computer, he’s considered one of the world’s foremost experts on how the use of computer prostheses can extend human abilities. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 Dec. 2012

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

Kids Definition

prosthesis

noun

pros·​the·​sis präs-ˈthē-səs 

ˈpräs-thə-

plural prostheses -ˌsēz 

: 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- 

plural prostheses -ˌsēz 

: 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