Prostrate means lying flat on the ground, face down, often as a sign of complete submission, worship, or exhaustion. When ancient subjects appeared before a powerful king, they might prostrate themselves, stretching out flat on the floor to show total respect and obedience. In some religious traditions, worshippers prostrate themselves before God, lying face down as an expression of humility and devotion.

The word also describes being completely overcome or helpless. After running a grueling marathon, an exhausted athlete might collapse prostrate at the finish line, too tired to stand. A terrible fever might leave someone prostrate in bed for days. When a devastating loss leaves someone emotionally prostrate, they feel flattened by grief, unable to function normally.

Notice that prostrate is different from simply lying down to rest. It carries a sense of being brought low, either by choice (as in worship) or by circumstances beyond your control (as in exhaustion or defeat).

As a verb, you can prostrate yourself before someone or something, or be prostrated by an illness or emotion.