1. an individual serving as the starting point for the genetic study of a family
Usage: medical; genetics

Examples

• The proband was a 25-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer.
• Researchers traced the genetic mutation through three generations starting with the proband.
• The medical team identified the proband as the first affected family member to seek treatment.
• Genetic counselors often begin their analysis by examining the proband’s medical records.
• The pedigree chart showed the proband at the center with affected relatives branching outward.
• In this study, each proband was matched with unaffected family members for comparison.