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

Running prostheses use polycentric knees that have as many as seven pivot points. —Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

So all of our writers’ meetings were with him in the makeup chair in various stages of prosthesis. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 June 2024

In the Paralympics, people can use a prosthesis, but all devices must be passive: no motor, no display, no sensors. —Dana MacKenzie, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

But if my prosthesis came pre-stamped with a Taylor Swift theme, that would be an imposition. —Chloé Valentine Toscano, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2024

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