Glossary · AI and language-model infrastructure
Prompt
Instructions and context supplied to a language model to shape the task and response.
Also called: model instruction
Definition
A prompt may include system rules, user requests, examples, retrieved records, tool results, formatting requirements, and constraints. It is one layer of a larger application and does not replace access controls or output validation.
Why it matters
Clear prompts improve consistency and make intended behavior easier to test, review, and maintain.
Common misunderstanding
Prompt wording alone cannot guarantee truth, security, privacy, or correct behavior across every input.
Related terms
Related system family: Operations & Automation
Sources
- Artificial intelligence (opens in a new tab) · NIST Computer Security Resource Center
- Model Context Protocol architecture overview (opens in a new tab) · Model Context Protocol
Last reviewed July 16, 2026