Meaning & use

prototype

noun·Academic

An early, original model of something built to test a design before it is produced in full.

See it in a sentence

Engineers tested the prototype for months before approving the design for mass production.

The startup showed investors a rough prototype of its new fitness tracker.

A note on using this word

A prototype is typically a working test version, distinct from a mockup, which may only show appearance without full function.

Words with a similar meaning

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